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APOCRTPHAL NEW TESTAMENT, 



BEING ALL 



THE GOSPELS, EPISTLES, 

AND OTHER PIECES NOW EXTANT, 

ATTRIBUTED IN THE FIRST FOUR CENTURIES TO 

Jesus Christ, 

ff/S APOSTLES, AND THEIR COMPANIONS, 

AND NOT INCLUDED IN 

THE NE^?V TESTAMENT 

BY ITS COMPILERS. 



Translated from the Original Tongues^ and now colUSled 

into one volume. 



NEW YORK: 
PETER ECKLER PUBLISHING CO, 



c 



1 ? ^^ 7 J 



€,3^- 






( 



^ 4 







" PUBLISHER'S Preface. 

ET 'T'HE New Testament books, called Apocryphal, have been issued 
■■• in the present form, to meet the popular demand for a well 
printed and finely illustrated edition of this ancient work, that can 
be sold at a price within the reach of the entire community. 

The text is from a standard English translation, and the illus- 
trations are from Italian paintings of world-wide celebrity. 

The fa<5t cannot be denied that the cotemporaries of the apostles 
and their descendants for many centuries, held these Apocryphal 
writings in the same esteem as the so-called Canonical Gospels of 
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and it appears but reasonable to 
suppose that the early Christians were quite as capable of judging 
of the canonicity of these writings, as the Protestant critics who 
were born centuries after the gospels were written, and who claim- 
ed the ability to distinguish the genuine from the spurious, the 
real from the pretended, the inspired from the apocryphal, after 
this great lapse of time.* 

As a matter of fa(5l, if we may judge between the different ver- 
sions from the style in which they are written, the so-called Apoc- 
ryphal Gospels deserve the preference. They are simpler, more 
natural and unsophisticated than the Canonical, and are such as the 
unlearned followers of Jesus might have been expedled to indite.f 

Samuel Davidson, D.D. of Halle, and LL.D., in his learned and 
critical work. The Canon of the Bible, tells us that 

" The word apocryphal, ((i7r6«pu<^oc,) is used in various senses, which 
it is difficult to trace chronologically. Apocryphal books are, — 

" I St, Such as contain secret or mysterious things, books of the 

• The very way in which apocryphal are inserted among canonical books in the Alexan- 
drian canon, shows the equal rank assigned to both. Esdras first and second succeed the 
Chronicles ; Tobit and Judith are between Nehemiah and Esther ; the Wisdom of Solomon 
and Sirach follow Canticles ; Baruch succeeds Jeremiah ; Daniel is followed by Susanna and 
other productions of the same class ; and the whole closes with the three books of Maccabees. 
Such IS the order in the Vatican MS. 

But whatever may have been the arrangement of the parts when the whole was complete, 
we know that it was disturbed by Protestants separating the apocryphal writings and putting 
them all together.— Davidson's Canon of the Bible, pages 50 and 53. 



IV publishbr's preface. 

higher wisdom. It is thus applied to the Apocalypse by Greg- 
ory of Nyssa/ Akin to this is the second meaning. 

** 2nd, Such as were kept secret or withdrawn from public use. 
In this sense the word corresponds to the Hebrew ganuz? So 
Origen speaking of the story of Susanna. The opposite of this is 
read in public^ a word employed by Eusebius/ 

" 3rd, It was used of the secret books of the heretics by Clement* 
and Origen," with the accessory idea of spurious^ psevdepigraph- 
icaly' in opposition to the canonical writings of the Catholic 
Church. The book of Enoch and similar produdlions were so 
charadlerized.* 

*' 4th, Jerome applied it to the books in the Septuagint which 
are absent from the Hebrew canon, ?>., to the books which were 
read in the church, the ecclesiastical ones' occupying a rank next 
to the canonical. In doing so he had respedl to the correspond- 
ing Hebrew epithet. This was a misuse of the word apocryphaly 
which had a prejudicial effedl on the character of the books in 
after-times." The word, which he did not employ in an injurious 
sense, was adopted from him by Protestants after the Reforma- 
tion, who gave it perhaps a sharper distindlion than he intended, 
so as to imply a contrast somewhat disparaging to writings which 
were publicly read in many churches and put beside the canonical 
ones by distinguished fathers. The Lutherans have adhered to 
Jerome's meaning longer than the Reformed ; but the decree of 
the Council of Trent had some effedt on both. The contrast 
between the canonical and apocryphal writings was carried to its 
utmost length by the Westminster divines, who asserted that the 
former are inspired, the latter not." 

» Orat. de Ordin., vol. ii. p. 44. 

•Tips, The Jews applied the word genuzint to books withdrawn from 
public use, whose contents were thought to be out of harmony with the doc- 
trinal or moral views of Judaism when the canon was closed. See Fiirst's 
Der Kanon des alien Testaments^ P- 127, note ; and Geiger's Urschrift, p. 201. 

* deSrjfioaisvfieva. <H. E. II. 23, III. 3-16. 
^Stromata, lib. iii. p. 1134, ed. Migne. 

* Prolog, ad Cant., oPPt vol. iii. p. 36. "^vodoct V»evdmypa^of. 

* See Suicer's Thesaurus, s. v. 

* Bt/?Xia avaytvi^oKontva, libri ecclesiastici. 

"In his epistle to Laeta he uses the epithet in its customary sense, of books 
unauthentic, not proceeding from the authors whose names they bear. 0pp. ^ 
voU i. p. 877, ed. Migne. 

Peter Ecklbr. 



y1 FTER the writings contained in the New Testa- 
,jc1 ment were selected from the numerous Gospels and 
Epistles then in existence^ what became of the Books that 
were rejected by the compilers ? 

This question naturally occurs on every investigation as to the 
period when, and the persons by whom the New Testament was 
formed. It has been supposed by many that the volume was 
compiled by the first council of Nice, which, according to Jortin,^ 
originated thus : 

Alexander, bishop of Alexandria, and Arius, who was a pres- 
byter in his diocese, disputed together about the nature of Christ ; 
and the bishop being displeased at the notions of Arius, and 
finding that they were adopted by other persons, " was very angry." 
He commanded Arius to come over to his sentiments, and to quit 
his own ; as if a man could change his opinions as easily as he 
can change his coat ! He then called a council of war, consisting 
of nearly a hundred bishops, and deposed, excommunicated, and 
anathematized Arius, and with him several ecclesiastics, two of 
whom were bishops. Alexander then wrote a circular letter to 
all bishops, in which he represents Arius and his partisans as 
heretics, apostates, blasphemous enemies of God, full of impudence 
and impiety, fore-runners of Antichrist, imitators of Judas, and 
men whom it was not lawful to salute, or to bid God-speed. There 
is no reason to doubt of the probity and sincerity of those who 
opposed Alexander and the Nicene Fathers ; for what did they 
get by it besides obliquy and banishment? Many good men 
were engaged on both sides of the controversy. So it was in the 
fourth century, and so it hath been ever since. Eusebius of 
Nicomedia, and Eusebius the historian, endeavored to pacify 
Alexander, and to persuade him to make up the quarrel; and 
Constantine sent a letter by the illustrious Hosius of Corduba to 
Alexander and Arius, in which he reprimanded them both for 

* Rem. on Eccl., vol. ii., p. 177. (v) 



VI 

disturbing the church with their insignificant disputes. But the 
affair was gone too far to be thus composed, and Socrates repre- 
sents both sides as equally contentious and refradlory. To settle 
this and other points, the Nicene council was summoned, consivSt- 
ing of about three hundred and eighteen bishops, — a mystical 
number' of which many profound remarks have been made. 
The first thing that they did was to quarrel, and to express their 
resentments, and to present accusations to the emperor against 
one another. So say Socrates, Sozomen, and Rufinus. Theodoret 
favors his brethren in this affair, and seems to throw the fault 
upon the laity. But the whole story as it is related by them all, 
and even by Theodoret, shows that the bishops accused one 
another. The emperor burnt all their libels, and exhorted them 
to peace and unity ; so that if they had not been restrained by 
his authority, and by fear and respec5l, they would probably have 
spent their time in altercations. 

This council of Nice is one of the most famous and interesting 
events presented to us in ecclesiastical history ; and yet, what is 
surprising, scarcely any part of the History of the Church has 
been unfolded with such negligence, or rather passed over with 
such rapidity. The ancient writers are neither agreed with 
respedl to the time or place in which it was assembled, the number 
of those who sat in council, nor the bishop who presided in it. 
No authentic adls of its famous sentence have been committed to 
writing ; or at least none have been transmitted to our time.* 

Although it is uncertain whether the books of the New Testa- 
ment were declared canonical by the Nicene Council, or by some 
other, or when or by whom they were collecfted into a volume, it 
is certain^ that they were considered genuine and authentic, (with 
a few variations of opinion as to some of them) by the most early 
Christian writers ; and that they were selected from various other 
Gospels and Epistles, the titles of which are mentioned in the 
works of the Fathers and the early historians of the church.* The 
books that exist, of those not included in the canon, are carefully 
brought together in the present volume. They naturally assume 
the title of the Apocryphal New Testament; and he who possesses 

^Barnabus, viii, ii, 12, 13. « Mosheim, Eccl. Hist., c. v ^ 12. 

» See Table II. at the end of this work. -» See Table I. at end. 



VII 

this and the New Testament, has in the two volumes, a colledlion 
of all the historical records relative to Christ and his Apostles, 
now in existence, and considered sacred by Christians during the 
first four centuries after his birth. 

In a complete collection of the Apocryphal writings the Apos- 
tles' Creed is necessarily included ; and as necessarily given, as it 
stood in the fourth and until the sixth century, (from Mr. Justice 
Bailey's edition of the common Prayer Book,) without the article 
of Christ's Descent into Hell; — an interpolation concerning which 
the author of the Preface to the Catalogue of the MSS. of the 
King's Library thus expresses himself: " I wish that the insertion 
of the article of Christ's Descent into Hell into the Apostle's Creed 
could be ias well accounted for as the insertion of the said verse 
(ijohn, V. 7.*) 

* Catalogue of MSS. of the king's library, by David Casly, 4to, in Pref. p. 
xxiv. For large particulars of Christ's Descent into Hell^ see the Gospel of 
Nicodemus, chap. xiii. to xx. 

The verse above alluded to by Mr. Casly is i John, V. 7. This spurious 
passage in the authorized version of the New Testament, printed by the 
Universities of Oxford and Cambridge and the King's Printers, and appointed 
to be read in churches, stands thus : " For there are three that bear record in 
Heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one.''* 
This verse, Mr. Casly says, is now generally given up ; being in no Greek 
MSS., save one at Berlin, which is discovered to have been transcribed from 
the printed Biblia Complutensia ; and another modern one at Dublin, prob- 
ably translated or corre(?ted from the Latin Vulgate. It is conjeAured that 
it may have been inserted by the mistake of a Latin copyist : for the owners 
of MSS. often wrote glosses or paraphrases of particular passages between 
the lines, and ignorant transcribers sometimes mistook these notes for inter- 
lined omissions by the original scribes, and accordingly in re-copying the 
MSS. incorporated these glosses or paraphrases into the body of the text. 
For instance, Jerome, in one of his letters, says that an explanatory note 
which he himself had made in the margin of his Psalter had been incorpo- 
rated by some transcriber into the text ; and Dr. Bentley, in the 96ih page of 
his Epistle, annexed to Malala's Chronicle, has proved ^wa opos eanv tv rtj 
Apa(3ia, in Galatians to be of the same stamp.* 

It is scarcely necessary to tell the reader, that in 1516 and 1519, Erasmus 
published his first and second editions of the Greek Testament, both of which 
omitted the three heavenly witnesses. That having promised to insert them 
in his text, if they were found in a single Greek MSS. ; he was soon informed 
of the existence of such a MSS. in England, and consequently inserted i John 
V. 7, in his third edition 1522. That this MSS., after a profound sleep of two 

iCat. King's Libr. Pref. p. xxi. 



vm 

The best that can be said for it is, that it might possibly have 
come in, in like manner, not long before, from a gloss or para- 
phrase, that was at first put in the margin or between the lines." 

By the publication of this volume the Editor conceives he has 
rendered an acceptable service to the theological student and the ec- 
clesiastical antiquary ; — he has endeavored to render it more grati- 
fying to the reader, and more convenient for reference, by arranging 

centuries, has at last been found in the library of Trinity College, Dublin. 
That the Complutension edition, which was not published till 1522, though it 
professes to be printed in 1514, has the seventh and eighth verse patched up 
from the modern Latin MSS., and the final clause of the eighth verse, which is 
omitted in its proper place, transferred to the end of the seventh. That 
Colina^us, in 1534, omitted the verse on the faith of MSS. That R. Stephens, 
in his famous edition of 1550, inserted the verse, and marked the words 
£v Tui ovpavcjL as wanting in seven MSS. That Beza, suspe<5ling no mistake, 
concluded that these seven MSS- contained the rest of the seventh verse, and 
the eighth with the words ev rnt yqi.^ 

Sir Isaac Newton wrote a Dissertation upon this passage, wherein he gave 
a clear, exa6l, and comprehensive view of the whole question, and wherein he 
says, that when the adversaries of Erasmus had got the date.* 

The text is not contained in any Greek manuscript which was written 
earlier than the fifteenth century. 2. Nor in any Latin manuscript earlier 
than the ninth century. 3. It is not found in any of the ancient versions. 

4. It is not cited by any of the Greek ecclesiastical writers, though, to prove the 
do<5lrine of the Trinity, they have cited the words both before and after this. 

5. It is not cited by any of the early Latin Fathers, even when the subjefts 
upon which they treat would naturally have led them to appeal to its authority. 

6. It is first cited by Virgilius Tapsensis, a Latin writer of no credit, in the 
latter end of the fifth century, and by him it is suspected to have been forged. 

7. It has been admitted as spurious in many editions of the New Testament 
since the Reformation : — in the two first of Erasmus, in those of Aldus 
Colinaeus, Zwinglius, and lately of Griesbach. 8. It was omitted by Luther 
in his German Version, in the old English Bibles of Henry VIII., Edward 
VI., and EHzabeth, it was printed in small types, or included in brackets : but 
between the years 1566 and 1580, it began to be printed as it now stands ; by 
whose authority is not known. — See Travis's Letters to Gibbon, and Person's 
to Travis. Also Griesbach's excellent Dissertation on the Text at the end of 
his second volume. Archbishop Newcome omits the text and the Bishop of 

1 Porson' s Letters to Travis. Preface. 

2 Newton's works by Horsley, 4to. vol. v. p. 549.— Bishop Horsley, in his edition of Sir 
Isaac Newton's works, has not concluded several MSS. on theological subjects for the 
reasons which perhaps induce the nobleman in whose possession they remain, to withhold 
them still from publication. His Lordship' s judgment in this respect is said to be influenced 
by a prelate whose notions do not accord either with Sir Isaac' s opinions or criticisms. They 
are fairly transcribed, in the illustrious author's own handwriting, ready for the press; 
and it is to be regretted that the production of his luminous mind be suppressed by any 
censorship, however respectable. 



IX 

the books into chapters, and dividing the chapters into verses. He 
has only to add, that the lover of old literature will here find the 
obscure but unquestionable origin of several remarkable rela- 
tions in the Golden Legend, the Lives of the Saints, and similar 
productions, concerning the birth of the Virgin, her marriage with 
Joseph, on the budding of his rod, the nativity of Jesus, the miracles 
of his Infancy, his laboring with Joseph at the carpentry trade, and 

Lincoln expresses liis convi<5tion that it is spurious. (Elem. of Theol. vol. ii. 
p. 90, note.y 

In sumptuous Latin MSS. of the Bible, written so late as in the thirteenth 
century, formerly belonging to the Capuchin Convent at Montpelier, after- 
wards in the possession of Harley, Earl of Oxford, and now deposited in the 
British Museum, the verse of the three heavenly witnesses is wanting as 
appears by the following literal extraift from it. 

%xz jest jqui uzmX ^tx aqtiam (S Battfluitxjem. 
Vciz rprje. %^xi m arr solum, sM itx axjua (S satx- 
gmtxem. (g spw. spie jest jcfxii tjestificatur. 
icrxxotxiam rpt tsX tetrltas. ®u0uiam ttrjes sutxt 
jcjui tjestimotxium jflatit iti tra. J^. ajcfua (| satx^ 
gtiis. gt trjes uuxim sxitxt*^ 

The following Greek and Latin authors have not quoted the text : ^ 

Greek authors: — Irenaeus — Clemens Alexandrinus — Dionysius Alexan- 
drinus, (or the writer against Paul of Samosata under his name) — Athanasius 
— ^The Synopsis of Scripture — The Synod of Sardica — Epiphanius — Basil- 
Alexander of Alexandria — Gregory Nyssen — Nazianzen, with his two com- 
mentators, Elias Cretensis and Nicetas — Didymus de Spiritu Sancto — Chrys- 
ostome — An author under his name de sancta et consubstantiali Trinitate — 
Caesarius — Proclus — The Council of Nice, as it is represented by Gelasius 
Cyzicenus — Hyppolytus— Andrius — Six catenae quoted by Simon — The mar- 
ginal scholia of three MSS. — Hesychius — John Damascenus — Oecumenius — 
Euthymius Zigabenus. 

Uitin authors : — ^The author de Baptismo Haereticorum, among Cyprian's 
works — Novatian Hilary — Lucifer Calazitanus — Jerome — Augustine — Am- 
brose — Faustinus — Leo Magnus — ^The author de Promissis — Eucherius — 
Facundus — Cerealis — Rusticus — Bede — Gregory — Philastrius — Arnobius, 
junior — Pope Eusebius. 

It is evident that if the text of the heavenly witnesses had been known from 

the beginning of Christianity, the ancients would have eagerly seized it, 

1 Improved version of the New Testament, 1808. 
•HiJtL. Coll. MSS. Cod. 4773. s Porson*s Letten to TraTii, p. 561 



the a<5lions of his followers. Several of the papal pageants for the 
populace, and the monkish mysteries performed as dramas at 
Chester, Coventry, Newcastle, and in other parts of England, are 
almost verbatim representations of the stories. Many valuable pic- 
tures by the best masters — prints by the early engravers, particu- 
larly of the Italian and German schools — wood-cuts in early black 
letter, and black books — and illuminations of missals and monastic 
MSS. receive immediate elucidation on referring to the Apocryphal 
New Testament, and are without explanation from any other source. 

inserted it in their creeds, quoted it repeatedly against the heretics, and 
selected it for the brightest ornament of every book that they wrote upon the 
subject of the Trinity. In short, if this verse be really genuine, notwithstand- 
ing its absence from all the visible Greek MSS. except two ; one of which 
awkwardly translates the verse from the Latin, and the other transcribes it 
from a printed book ; notwithstanding its absence from all the versions 
except the vulgate ; and even from many of the best and oldest MSS. of 
the vulgate ; notwithstanding the deep and dead silence of all the Greek 
writers down to the thirteenth, and most of the Latins down to the 
middle of the eighth century; if, in spite of all these objedions, it be still 
genuine, no part of Scripture whatsoever can be proved either spurious or 
genuine ; and Satan has been permitted, for many centuries, miraculously 
to banish the finest passage in the N. T. from the eyes and memories of 
almost all the Christian authors, translators, and transcribers.' 

Sir Isaac Newton observes, "that what the Latins have done to this text 
( I John v. 7), the Greeks have done to that of St. Paul (Timothy, III. i6.) 
For by changing o into the abbreviation of ^eof , they now read, Great is the 
mystery of Godliness : God manifested in the flesh : whereas all the churches 
for the first four or five hundred years, and the authors of all the ancient 
versions, Jerome, as well as the rest, read, "Great is the mystery of godliness 
which was manifested in theflesh.^^ Sir Isaac gives a list of authors, who, he 
says, " wrote, all of them, in the fourth and fifth centuries for the Deity of 
the Son, and incarnation of God ; and some of them largely, and in several 
tracts ; and yet," he says, "I cannot find that they ever allege this text to 
prove it, excepting that Gregory Nyssen ' once urges it, (if the passage crept 
not into him out of some marginal annotation). In all the times of the hot 
and lasting Arian controversy, it never came into play ; though now these 
disputes are over, they that read God made manifest in the fleshy think Sir 
Isaac says, " one of the most obvious and pertinent texts for the business. " 

There are other interpolations and corruptions of passages in the New 
Testament, but the Editor perceives that the few observations he has hastily 
colledled and thrown together in this note, have already extended it to undue 
length, and it must here close. 

1 PoTBon^s Letters to Travis, 8vo. p. 408. tOrat. xL contra Eunora. 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Q 

The Son of Mary, by Boccaccio Boccaccino, . . . To face Title 
Infant Jesus Asleep, by Cristofano Allori. (In Florence Gallery, ) . 9 

St. Mary Magdalen, by Leonardo da Vinci. (In Florence Gallery.) , 17 

Mary Magdalen hath oft been commended for * ' being first at the Cross, and first at 
the Sepulchre.' ' St. Matthew (xxviil, 9,) tells us that Mary Magdalen and the other 
Mary first met Jesus after he had ' ' risen from the dead. ' ' St. Mark tells us (xvi, 9, ) 
that "when Jesus was risen, . . he appeared first to Mary Magdalen, out of 
whom he had cast seven devils.' ' In St, Luke (vii, 44-47, ) Jesus warmly praises her 
unparalleled devotion. " She hath washed my feet with tears, " he tells Simon, ' ' and 
wiped them with the hairs of her head.' ' St. John (xx,l7,) tells us that Jesus said 
unto her, " Go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father and 
your father, and to my God and your God.' ' 

Marriage of the Virgin, by Fra da FiesoleAngelico, , , . . 25 

The Nativity, by Luca Longhi, 35 

Massacre of the Innocents, by Guido Reni. (In Belogna, ) • • 37 

Adoration of the the Shepherds, by Girolamo da Carpi. (In Belogna.) 42 

The Flight into Egypt, by Altobello Melone, .... 6 . 43 

Repose in Egypt, by Gio. da S. Giovanni. (In Florence Gallery,) . 50 

Virgin and Child, by Lippo Dalmasio, 51 

Christ disputing with the DoAors, by Bamboccio. (In Vienna Gallery, ) 62 

Baptism of Christ, by Verrocchio, , 63 

Christ before Pilate, by Duccio Sienaese, 65 

The Way to Calvary, by Michelangelo Anselmi. (Parma,) ... 74 

Resurrection of Lazarus, by Gianfrancesco Carotto, • • • -75 

Descent from the Cross, by Stamina, 78 

Portion of a Painting in Verona, (School of Giotto,) . . . .79 

Descent of Christ into Hell, by Angelo Allori. (In Florence Gallery,) 87 

Saints, by Niccola Pisano, (from Monument of St. Dominic,) . . 99 

Martyrdom of St. Agatha, by Sebastiano del Piombo, . • . 119 

A Sybil, by Baldassaro Peruzzi. ( Academia di Sienna,) • . • aiz 
^- (xi) 



THE 



ORDER OF ALL THE BOOKS 



OF THE 



APOCEYPHAL NEW TESTAMENT, 



WITH 



Their proper Names and Number of Chapters, 



JVA ARY hath Chapters 

Protevangelion . . . 

I. Infancy 

II. Infancy 

Christ and Abgarus , . . 

Nicodemus 

Apostles' Creed in its ancient 
state 

Apostles' Creed in its present 
state 

Laodiceans 

Paul and Seneca .... 

Paul and Thecla .... 

I. Corinthians 



22 

4 

2 
22 



8 I II. Corinthians hath Chapters 5 

16 Barnabas 15 

Ephesians 4 

Magnesians ...... 4 

Trallians 3 

Romans 3 

Philadelphians 3 

Smyrnaeans 3 

Polycarp 3 

Philippians 4 

I. Hermas — Visions ... 4 

II. Hermas — Commands . . 12 

III. Hermas — Similitudes . lo 



I 
I 

14 
II 



24 
(12) 



Preface to the Second Edition. 



ALTHOUGH The Apocryphal New Testament was put out without pre- 
tension or ostentatious announcement, or even solicitude for its fate, yet a 
large Edition has been sold in a few months. The Public demanding another, 
to this second Edition a small fragment of the Second Epistle of Clement to 
the Corinthians, accidentally omitted, has been added : it forms the fifth 
chapter of that Epistle. There is, likewise annexed, a Table of the years 
wherein all the Books of the New Testament are stated to have been written ; 
to the "Order of the Books of the Apocryphal New Testament,''^ the authori- 
ties from whence they have been taken are affixed ; and, finally, many errors 
in the numerous scriptural references subjoined in the notes to the Epistles 
have been correAed. These are the only material variations from the first 
Edition. 

It escaped the Editor to notice that the legends of the Koran and the Hindoo 
Mythology are considerably connefted with this volume. Many of the a6ls 
and miracles ascribed to the Indian God, Crishna, during his incarnation, are 
precisely the same with those attributed to Christ in his infancy, by the Apocry- 
phal Gospels, and are largely particularized by the Rev. Thomas Maurice in 
KislQsxuQd History of Hindostan. 

Reference to the preceding Preface will leave little doubt that the Apocry- 
phal writings formed an interesting portion of the lay, as well as the monkish 
literature of our forefathers. There is a translation of the Gospel of Nico- 
demus almost coeval with the origin of printing in England ; {a) and ancient 
MSS. of the Gospel of the Infancy are still extant in the Welsh language 
under the title of Mabinogi Jesu Grist. 

Concerning any genuineness of any portion of the work, the Editor 
has not ofi'ered an opinion, nor is it necessary that he should. The brief 
notice at the head of each Gospel directs the reader to its source, and 
will assist him to inquire further, and form an opinion for himself. Yet 
respefting the Epistles^ which occupy about two-thirds of the volume, 
the Editor would call attention to Archbishop Wake's testimony. The 
pious and learned Prelate says, that these Epistles (^) are a full and 
perfed; collection of "all the genuine writings that remain to us of the 
Apostolic Fathers, and carry on the antiquity of the Church from the time of 
the Holy Scriptures of the New Testament to about a hundred and fifty years 
after Christ ; that except the Holy Scriptures, there is nothing remaining of 
the truly genuine Christian antiquity more early ; (r) that they contain all 
that can with any certainty be depended upon of the most primitive Fa- 
thers, {d) who had not only the advantage of living in the apostolical times, 
of hearing the Holy Apostles, and conversing with them, but were most of 

(a) It was printed, in quarto, first by Wynkyn de Worde in 1509, next by John Skot 
in 1525; by tne same printer subsequently, and several times afterwards. 

(&) Abp. Wake's Ajwstolical Fathers, Bagster's Edition, 8vo., 1817, Prelim. Disc. p. 120. 
(c) Abp. Wake's Apostolical Fathers, Bagster's Edition, 8vo., Prelim. Disc. p. 120. 
(4) D. 196. (0M«) 



XIV 

them persons of a very eminent charafter in the church too : (a) that we can- 
not with any reason doubt of what they deliver to us as the gospel of Christ, 
but ought to receive it, if not with equal veneration, yet but a little less 
resped; than we do the Sacred Writings of those who were their masters and 
instructors:" and, "if," says the Archbishop, (who translated these Epis- 
tles), (d) *' it shall be asked how I came to choose the drudgery of a translator, 
rather than the more ingenious part of publishing somewhat of my own 
composing, it was, in short, this ; because I hoped that such writings as these 
would find a more general and unprejudiced acceptance with all sorts of men 
than anything that could be written by any one now living." 

As a literary curiosity, the work has attracted much notice ; as throw- 
ing a light upon the arts of design and engraving, it has already been 
useful to the painter, and the collector of pictures and prints ; and, as 
relating to theology, it has induced various speculations and inquiry. 

But the Editor has been charged with expressing too little veneration for 
the councils of the Church. He feels none. It is true that respedling the 
three hundred Bishops assembled at the council of Nice, the Emperor 
Constantine (c) says, that what was approved by these Bishops could be 
nothing less than the determination of God himself; since the Holy Spirit 
residing in such great and worthy souls, unfolded to them the divine 
will, (a) Yet, Sabinus, the Bishop of Heraclea, affirms, that "excepting 
Constantine himself, and Eusebius Pamphilus, they were a set of illiterate 
simple creatures, that understood nothing;" and Pappus seems to have 
estimated them very low, for in his Synodicon to that council, he tells us, that 
having " promiscuously put all the books that were referred to the council for 
determination, under the communion table in a church, they besought the 
Lord that the inspired writings might get upon the table while the spurious 
ones remained underneath, and that it happened accordingly. " A com- 
mentator {e) on this legend suggests that nothing less than such a sight 
could sanctify that fiery zeal which breathes throughout an edid: published by 
Constantine, in which he decrees that all the writings of Arius should be 
burned and that any person concealing any writing composed by him, and 
not immediately producing it, and committing it to the flames, should be 
punished with death. {/) Let us, with the illustrious Jortin, {g) consider a 
a council called and presided over by this Barbarian Founder of the church 
militant : by what various motives the various Bishops may have been 
influenced ; as by reverence to the Emperor or to his counsellors and favor- 
ites, his slaves and eunuchs ; by the fear of offending some great prelate as 
a Bishop of Rome or Alexandria, who had it in his power to insult, vex, and 
plague all the bishops within and without his jurisdi(5lion ; by the dread of 
passing for heretics, and of being calumniated, reviled, hated, anathematized, 
excommunicated, imprisoned, banished, fined, beggared, starved, if they 
refused to submit ; by compliance with some active leading and imperious 
spirits ; by a deference to the majority ; by a love of dilating and domineer- 
ing, of applause and respe6l ; by vanity and ambition ; by a total ignorance 
of the question in debate, or a total indifference about it ; by private friend- 
ships ; by enmity and resentment ; by old prejudices ; by hopes of gain ; by 
an indolent disposition ; by good nature ; by the fatigue of attending, and a 
desire to be at home ; by the love of peace and quiet ; and a hatred of con- 
tention, &c. {h) Whosoever takes these things into due consideration will 

(a) Abp. Wake ' 8 Ajwstolical Fathers, Bagster's Edition, 8vo., Prelim. Disc. p. 128. 

(6) p. 155. (c) Socrates Scol. Eccl. Hist. b. i. c. 0. (d) Ibid. c. 9. 

(e) Mace 's N. Test. p. 875. If) Socrates, Schol. Eccl. Hist. b. i. c. 9. 

(o) Rem. on Eccl. Hist. vol. ii. p. 177. 

(ft) These considerations are more or less natural on becoming acquainted with the proceed- 
ings of every council, from that of Nice to that of Trent, in the year 1545, which, Father 
Paul says, was for divers ends and by divers means, procured and hastened, hindered and 
deferred, for two and twenty years ; and, for eighteen years more, was sometimes assembled 
and iK>metimeB dissolved. Brent, a translator ol Paulas History of that oouncil says, *'it 



not be disposed to pay a blind deference to the authority of genera! councils 
but will rather be inclined to judge that "the council held by the Apostles at 
Jerusalem was the first and the last in which the Holy Spirit may be affirmed 
to have presided." (a) 

In accommodation to this opinion, the Church of England compels her 
clergy to subscribe to the following among the thirty-nine "Articles of 
Religion." (d) "When general councils be gathered together forasrnuch as 
they be an assembly of men, whereof all be not governed with the spirit and 
will of God they may err, and sometimes have erred, even in things pertain- 
ing unto God ; wherefore things ordained by them as necessary to salvation 
have neither strength nor authority, unless it may be declared that they be 
taken out of the Holy Scriptures. " 

After eighteen centuries of bloodshed and cruelties perpetrated in the name 
of Christianity, it is gradually emerging from the mystifying subtleties of 
fathers, councils, and hierarchies, and the encumbering edicts of soldier-kingp 
and papal decretals. Charmed by the loveliness of its primitive simplicity, 
every sincere human heart will become a temple for its habitation, and every 
man become a priest unto himself Thus, and thus only, will be establishea 
the religion of Him, who, having the same interest with ourselves in the wel- 
fare of mankind, left us, for the rule of our happiness, the sum and substance 
of his code of peace and good will — * * Whatsoever ye would that men should 
do to you, do ye even so to them." 

By some persons of the multitude, commonly known by the name of Chris- 
tians, and who profess to suppose they do God service by calling themselves 
so, the Editor has been attacked with a malignity and fury that would have 
graced the age of Mary and Elizabeth, when Catholics put to death Protest- 
ants, and Protestants put to death Catholics for the sake of him who com- 
manded mankind to lovg one another. To these assailants, he owes no 
explanation ; to the craft of disingenuous criticism, he offers no reply ; to the 
bolt of the Bigot, and the shaft of the Shrinemaker, he scarcely condescends 
the opposition of a smile. 

would be infinite to relate the stratagems the bishops of Rome used to divert the council 
before it began, their postings to and fro, to hinder the proposing of those things which they 
thought would diminish their profit or pull down their pride : and their policies to enthral 
the prelates, and to procure a majority of voices." 

It is stated by Guicciardini, that, ' ' as the priests were raised step by step to earthly 
power, they cared less and less for religious precepts. Using their spiritual only as an in- 
strument of their temporal authority, their business was no more sanctity of Ufe, increase 
of religion, and love and charity towards their neighbors— but fomenting wars among 
Christians, and employing all arts and snares to scrape money together, and making new 
laws against the people. Hence, they were no longer respected, although, by the P9werful 
name of religion, they maintained their authority, being helped therein, " says Guicciardini, 
^by the faculty which they have of gratifying princes.*^— Q\nc(iia.Tdim''s Hist, b, iv. 

(a) Jortin's Bern, on £ccl. Hist, vol, ii, p. 177. (&) Art. xzi. 



ORDER OF ALL THE BOOKS OF THE APOCRYPHAL NEW TESTAMENT. 



Names. 



No. of 
Chaps 



Mary hath 

Protevangelion... 

I. Infancy 

II. Infancy 

Christ and Abgarus 
Nicodemus 



Apostles' Creed in 
its ancient state. 



Apostles' Creed in 

its present state. 
Laodiceans 



Paul and Seneca... 



Paul andThecla... 



I. Corinthians . . . 

II. Corinthians ... 

Barnabas 

Ephesians 

Magnesians 

Trallians 

Romans 

Philadelphians 

Smyrnaeans 

Polycarp 

Philippians 

I. Hermas- Visions 

II. " Commands 

III. Hermas-Simil- 
itudes 



8 
16 

22 



22 
I 



I 

I 

14 

II 



24 
5 

15 
4 
4 
3 
3 
3 
3 
3 
4 
4 

12 

10 



Page.. 



17 
25 

39 
62 

64 

65 
94 



Authorities. 



See also authorities more at large in the 
Notices before each Book. 



96 

97 

98 
102 



116 

145 
150 
172 
179 
182 
186 
189 

193 
197 
200 
205 
221 

239 



In the words of St. Jerome, a Father of the 
Church, who died A. D. 420. 

Postellus brought the MSS. from the Le- 
vant, translated it into Latin, and caused it 
to be printed at Zurich, in 1552. 

Received by the Gnostics, a se(5t of Chris- 
tians in the second Century, and translated 
into English by Mr. Henry Sike, Oriental 
Professor at Cambridge, in 1697. 

Printed by Professor Cotelerius, in a note 
to his works of the Apostolic Fathers, from a 
MSS. in the King of France's Library, No. 
2279, and Bishop of Caesarea, A.D. 315. 

Preserved by Eusebius, one of the Council 
of Nice, in his Ecclesiastical History, Book i, 
chap. 13. 

Published by Professor Grynseus, in the 
Orthodoxographia, 1555, tom. ii. p. 643. 

Without the articles of Christ's Descent into 
Hell^^\6.t\\Q. Coinmufiion of Saints . See it thus 
handed down in Mr. Justice Bailey's Edition of 
the Book of Common Prayer, 8vo. 1813, p. 9, 
note. Also in Bingham's Antiquities of the 
Christian Church, folio, 1726. B. 10. c 4. s. 12. 

In the Book of Common Prayer of the 
Church of England. 

From ancient MSS. in the Sorbonne and 
the Library of loannes a Viridario at Padua. 
See also Poole's Annotations on Col. iv. r6, 
and Harl. MSS. Cod. 1212. 

Jerome ranks Seneca on account of these 
Epistles among the holy writers of the Church. 
They are preserved by Sixtus Senensis, in 
his Bibliotheque, p. 89, 90. 

From the Greek MSS. in the Bodleian Li- 
brary, copied by Dr. Mills, and transmitted 
to Dr. Grabe, who edited and printed it in his 
Spicilegium. 

These are " The Genuine Epistles of the 
Apostolic Fathers: beings together with the 
Holy Scriptures of the New Testament, a 
complete colledlion of the most primitive Antiq- 
uity for about a hundred and fifty years after 
Christ. Translated and published with a large 
prelimiftary discourse relating to the several 
Treatises by the most Reverend Father in God, 
Williafn, (Wake) Lord Bishop of Lincoln, ^^ 
afterwards Lord Archbishop of Canterbury. 
The authorities and proofs adduced by this 
erudite and honest prelate will be found in 
great number in the introdudion and dis- 
courses to the Edition of the Archbishop's 
Translation of these Epistles, published in 
1817, by Mr. Bagster, Paternoster Row. 



NOTB.— Columu 1 contains the proper names of the Books ; col. 2, the No. of chapters in each: 
90I. 3, the page whereon each Book commences ; col. 4, the authorities for each briefly stated. 

(16) 




^SMmAUnjf* 



fi4tMuiJSf£» I 



, .^^ *.^^/:]MU/^^^a^ ^ Ac^^<3f9'^ a^ K^^^, 



K£9i4:e* 



tS^f ^Sporrgpljal JQpfD @pslPainpnh 



THE GOSPEL OF THE BIRTH OF MARY. 

[In the primitive ages there was a Gospel extant bearing this name, attributed 
to St. Matthew, and received as genuine and authentic by several of the 
ancient Christian sects. It is to be found in the works of Jerome, a Father 
of the Church, who flourished in the fourth century, from whence the 
present translation is made. His contemporaries, Epiphanius, Bishop of 
Salamis, and Austin, also mention a Gospel under this title. The ancient 
copies differed from Jerome's, for from one of them the learned Faustus, 
a native of Britain, who became Bishop of Riez, in Provence, endeavored 
to prove that Christ was not the Son of God till after his baptism ; and 
that he was not of the house of David and tribe of Judah, because, ac- 
cording to the Gospel he cited, the Virgin herself was not of this tribe, 
but of the tribe of Levi ; her father being a priest of the name of Joachim. 
It was likewise from this Gospel that the sect of the Collyridians es- 
tablished the worship and offering of manchet bread and cracknels, or 
fine wafers, as sacrifices to Mary, who they imagined to have been born 
of a Virgin, as Christ is related in the Canonical Gospels to have been 
born of her. Epiphanius likewise cites a passage concerning the death 
of Zacharias, which is not in Jerome's copy, viz, "That it was the oc- 
casion of the death of Zacharias in the temple, that when he had seen a 
vision, he, through surprise, was willing to disclose it, and his mouth 
was stopped. That which he saw was at the time of his offering incense, 
and it was a man standing in the form of an ass. When he was gone out, 
and had a mind to speak thus to the people, fVoe unto you, whom do ye 
worship ? he who had appeared to him in the temple took away the use 
of his speech. Afterwards when he recovered it, and was able to speak, 
he declared this to the Jews, and they slew him. They add (viz. the 
Gnostics in this book), that on this very account the high-priest was ap- 
pointed by their lawgiver (by God to Moses) to carry little bells, that 
whensoever he went into the temple to sacrifice, he, whom they wor- 
shipped, hearing the noise of the bells, might have time enough to hide 
himself, and not be caught in that ugly shape and figure." — The principal 
part of this Gospel is contained in the Protevangelion of James, which 
follows next in order.] (17) 



Marys parents barren. MARY. An angel appears^ and 



CHAP„ I. 

I The parentage of Mary. ^ Joachim 
her father^ and Anna her mother , go 
to Jerusalem, to the feast of the dedi- 
cation. 9 Issachar the high-priest re- 
proaches Joachim, for being childless. 

THE blessed and ever glorious 
Virgin Mary, sprung from 
the royal race and family of Da- 
vid, was born in the city of Naza- 
reth, and educated at Jerusalem, 
in the temple of the Lord. 

2 Her father's name was Joa- 
chim, and her mother's Anna. 
The family of her father was of 
Galilee and the city of Nazareth. 
The family of her mother was of 
Bethlehem. 

3 Their lives were plain and 
right in the sight of the Lord, 
pious and faultless before men. 
For they divided all their sub- 
stance into three parts : 

4 One of which they devoted 
to the temple and officers of the 
temple ; another they distributed 
among strangers, and persons in 
poor circumstances; and the third 
they reserved for themselves and 
the uses of their own family. 

5 In this manner they lived 
for about twenty years chastely, 
in the favor of God, and the 
esteem of men, without any chil- 
dren. 

6 But they vowed, if God 
should favor them with any is- 
sue, they would devote it to the 
service of the Lord; on which 
account they went at every feast 
in the year to the temple of the 
Lord.^ 

7 Tf And it came to pass, that 
when the feast of the dedication 
drew near, Joachim, with some 
others of his tribe, went up to 

>Sam, i. 6, 7, &c. 



Jerusalem, and at that time, Issa- 
char was high-priest ; 

8 Who, when he saw Joachim 
along with the rest of his neigh- 
bors, bringing his offering, de- 
spised both him and his offerings, 
and asked him, 

9 Why he, who had no chil- 
dren, would presume to appear 
among those who had? Adding, 
that his offerings could never be 
acceptable to God, who was judg- 
ed by him unworthy to have chil- 
dren ; the Scripture having said. 
Cursed is every one who shall 
not beget a male in Israel. 

10 He further said, that he 
ought first to be free from that 
curse by begetting some issue, 
and then come with his offerings 
into the presence of God. 

11 But Joachim being much 
confounded with the shame of 
such reproach, retired to the 
shepherds, who were with the 
cattle in their pastures. 

1 2 For he was not inclined to 
return home, lest his neighbors, 
who were present and heard all 
this from the high-priest, should 
publicly reproach him in the 
same manner. 

CHAP. II. 

I An angel appears to Joachim,. 9 and 
inform.s him that Anna shall con- 
ceive and bring forth a daughter^ 
who shall be called Mary^ 11 be 
brought up in the temple y 12 and 
while yet a virgin, in a way unparal- 
leled, bring forth the Son of God: 13 
gives him, a sign, 14 and departs. 

BUT when he had been there 
for some time, on a certain 
day when he was alone, the angel 
of the Lord stood by him with a 
prodigious light. 

2 To whom, being troubled at 



(18) 



promises them a child. 



MARY. 



Anna conceives. 



the appearance, the angel who 
had appeared to him, endeavor- 
ing to compose him, said : 

3 Be not afraid, Joachim, nor 
troubled at the sight of me, for I 
am an angel of the Lord sent by 
him to you, that I might inform 
you, that your prayers are heard, 
and your alms ascended in the 
sight of God.' 

4 For he hath surely seen your 
shame, and heard you unjustly 
reproached for not having chil- 
dren : for God is the avenger of 
sin, and not of nature. 

5 And so when he shuts the 
womb of any person, he does it 
for this reason, that he may in a 
more wonderful manner again 
open it, and that which is born 
appear to be not the producft of 
lust, but the gift of God. 

6 For the first mother of your 
nation Sarah, was she not barren 
even till her eightieth year : And 
yet even in the end of her old 
age brought forth Isaac, in whom 
the promise was made of a bless- 
ing to all nations.^ 

7 Rachel also, so much in fa- 
vor with God, and beloved so 
much by holy Jacob, continued 
barren for a long time, yet after- 
wards was the mother of Joseph, 
who was not only governor of 
Egypt, but delivered many na- 
tions from perishing with hun- 
ger.' 

8 Who among the judges was 
more valiant than Sampson, or 
more holy than Samuel? And 
yet both their mothers were bar- 
ren.* 

> Acts, X. 4. 

•Gen. xvi. 2, &c. and xviii. 10, &c. 
'Gen. XXX. 1—22. and xli. i, &c. 
*Judg. xiii. 2. and i. Sam. 6, &c. 



9 But "if reason will not con- 
vince you of the truth of my 
words, that there are frequent 
conceptions in advanced years, 
and that those who were barren 
have brought forth to their great 
surprise; therefore Anna your 
wife shall bring you a daughter, 
and you shall call her name 
Mary; 

10 She shall, according to your 
vow, be devoted to the Lord from 
her infancy, and be filled with the 
Holy Ghost from her mother's 
womb ; ' 

11 She shall neither eat nor 
drink any thing which is un- 
clean, nor shall her conversation 
be without among the common 
people, but in the temple of the 
Lord; that so she may not fall 
under any slander or suspicion 
of what is bad. 

12 So in the process of her 
years, as she shall be in a mirac- 
ulous manner born of one that 
was barren, so she shall, while 
yet a virgin, in a way unparal- 
leled, bring forth the Son of 
the most High God, who shall, 
be called Jesus, and, accord- 
ing to the signification of his 
name, be the Saviour of all na- 
tions.'* 

13 And this shall be a sign to 
you of the things which I declare, 
namely, when you come to the 
golden gate of Jerusalem, you 
shall there meet your wife Anna, 
who being very much troubled 
that you returned no sooner, shall 
then rejoice to see you, 

14 When the angel had said 
this, he departed from him. 



' Luke i. 15. 
2 Matt. I. ai. 



(19) 



Mary bom. 



MARY. Ministered unto by angels. 



CHAP. III. 

I The angel appears to Anna; 2 tells 
her a daughter shall be born unto 
her, 3 devoted to the service of the 
Lord in the temple, 5 who, being a 
virgin, and not knowing man, shall 
bring forth the Lord, 6 and gives 
her a sign therefore. 8 Joachim, and 
Anna meet, and rejoice, 10 and 
praise the Lord. Anna conceives, 
and brings forth a daughter called 
Mary. 

AFTERWARDS the angel ap- 
peared to Anna, his wife, 
saying: Fear not, neither think 
that which you see is a spirit/ 

2 For I am that angel who hath 
offered up your prayers and alms 
before God, and am now sent to 
you, that I may inform you, that 
a daughter will be born unto 
you, who shall be called Mary, 
and shall be blessed above all 
women.* 

3 She shall be, immediately 
upon her birth, full of the grace 
of the Lord, and shall continue 
during the three years of her 
weaning in her father's house, 
and afterwards, being devoted to 
the service of the Lord, shall not 
depart from the temple, till she 
arrives to years of discretion. 

4 In a word, she shall there 
serve the Lord night and day in 
fasting and prayer,' shall abstain 
from every unclean thing, and 
never know any man ; 

5 But, being an unparalleled 
instance without any pollution 
or defilement, and a virgin not 
knowing any man, shall bring 
forth a son, and a maid shall 
bring forth the Lord, who both 
by his grace and name and works, 
shall be the Saviour of the world. 

'Matt. xiv. 26. 
» Luke, i. 28. 
• Luke, ii. 37. 



(ao) 



6 Arise therefore, and go up to 
Jerusalem, and when you shall 
come to that which is called the 
golden gate (because it is gilt 
with gold), as a sign of what I 
have told you, you shall meet 
your husband, for whose safety 
you have been so much con- 
cerned. 

7 When therefore you find 
these things thus accomplished, 
believe that all the rest which I 
have told you, shall also un- 
doubtedly be accomplished. 

8 T[ According therefore to the 
command of the angel, both of 
them left the places where they 
were, and when they came to the 
place specified in the angel's pre- 
dication, they met each other. 

9 Then, rejoicing at each oth- 
er's vision, and being fully satis- 
fied in the promise of a child, 
they gave due thanks to the 
Lord, who exalts the humble. 

10 After having praised the 
Lord, they returned home, and 
lived in a cheerful and assured 
expecftation of the promise of 
God. 

11 Tf So Anna conceived, and 
brought forth a daughter, and, 
according to the angel's com- 
mand, the parents did call her 
name Mary. 

CHAP. IV. 

I Mary brought to the temple at three 
years old. 6 Ascends the stairs oj 
the temple by miracle. 8 Her Par- 
ents sacrifice and return home. 

AND when three years were 
expired, and the time of her 
weaning complete, they brought 
the Virgin to the temple of the 
Lord with offerings. 

2 And there were about the 
temple, according to the fifteen 



Her vow of virginify. 



MARY. The high-priest in difficulty. 



Psalms of degree,* fifteen stairs 
to ascend. 

3 For the temple being built 
in a mountain, the altar of burnt- 
offering, which was without, 
could not be come near but by 
stairs ; 

4 The parents of the blessed 
Virgin and infant Mary put her 
upon one of these stairs ; 

5 But while they were putting 
off their clothes, in which they 
had traveled, and according to 
custom putting on some that 
were more neat and clean. 

6 In the mean time the Virgin 
of the Lord in such a manner 
went up all the stairs one after 
another, without the help of any 
to lead her or lift her, that any 
one would have judged from 
hence, that she was of perfecft 
age. 

7 Thus the Lord did, in the 
infancy of his Virgin, work this 
extraordinary work, and evi- 
dence by this miracle how great 
she was like to be hereafter. 

8 But the parents having of- 
fered up their sacrifice, according 
to the custom of the law, and per- 
fected their vow, left the Virgin 
with other virgins in the apart- 
ments of the temple, who were to 
be brought up there, and they 
returned home. 

CHAP. V. 

3 Maty ministered unto by angels. 4 
The high priest orders all virgins 
of fourteen years old to quit the 
temple and endeavor to be married. 
5 Mary refuses ^ 6 having- vowed her 
virginity to the Lord. 7 The high- 
priest commands a meeting of the 
chief persons of ferusalem., 11 who 
seek the Lord for counsel in the 
matter. 13 A voice from the mercy- 

* Those Psalms are from the 120th 
to the 134th including both. 



seat. 15 The high-priest obeys it by 
ordering all the unmarried men of 
the house of David to bring their 
rods to the altar, 17 that his rod 
which should flower, and on which 
the Spirit of God should sit, should 
betroth the Virgin. 

BUT the Virgin of the Lord, 
as she advanced in years, 
increased also in perfec5lions, and 
according to the saying of the 
Psalmist, her father and mother 
forsook her, but the Lord took 
care of her. 

2 For she every day had the 
conversation of angels, and every 
day received visitors from God, 
which preserved her from all 
sorts of evil, and caused her to 
abound with all good things. 

3 So that when at length she 
arrived to her fourteenth year, as 
the wicked could not lay any 
thing to her charge worthy of 
reproof, so all good persons, who 
were acquainted with her, ad- 
mired her life and conversation. 

4 At that time the high-priest 
made a public order, That all the 
virgins who had public settle- 
ments in the temple, and were 
come to this age, should return 
home, and, as they were now of 
a proper maturity, should, ac- 
cording to the custom of their 
country, endeavor to be married. 

5 To Tvlilch command, though 
all the other virgins readily 
yielded obedience, Mary the 
Virgin of the Lord alone an- 
swered, that she could not comply 
with it. 

6 Assigning these reasons, that 
both she and her parents had de- 
voted her to the service of the 
Lord; and besides that she had 
vowed virginity to the Lord, 
which vow she was resolved 



(21) 



The Virgin betrothed. MARY. Returns to her parents^ house. 



never to break through by lying 
with a man. 

7 The high-priest being here- 
by brought into a difficulty. 

8 Seeing he durst neither on 
the one hand dissolve the vow, 
and disobey the Scripture, which 
says, Vow and pay,^ 

9 Nor on the other hand in- 
troduce a custom, to which the 
people were strangers, com- 
manded. 

10 That at the approaching 
feast all the principal persons 
both of Jerusalem and the neigh- 
boring places should meet to- 
gether, that he might have their 
advice, how he had best proceed 
in so difficult a case. 

11 When they were accord- 
ingly met, they unanimously 
agreed to seek the Lord, and ask 
counsel from him on this matter.^ 

12 And when they were all 
engaged in prayer, the high- 
priest, according to the usual 
way, went to consult God. 

13 And immediately there was 
a voice from the ark, and the 
mercy-seat, which all present 
heard, that it must be enquired 
or sought out by a prophecy of 
Isaiah, to whom the Virgin 
should be given and be be- 
trothed ; 

14 For Isaiah saith, there shall 
come forth a rod out of the stem 
of Jesse, and a flower shall spring 
out of its root, 

1 5 And the Spirit of the Lord 
shall rest upon him, the Spirit of 
Wisdom and Understanding, the 
Spirit of Counsel and Might, the 

1 Eccles. V. 4, 5, 6. and Psalm 
Ixxvi. II. 

2 Num. xxvii, 21. compared with 
Exod. xxviii. 30. Lev. viii. 8 Deut. 
xxxiii 8. Ezra, ii. 63. Nehem. vii. 65. 



Spirit of Knowledge and Piety, 
and the Spirit of the fear of the 
Lord shall fill him. 

16 Then, according to this 
prophecy, he appointed, that all 
the men of the house and family 
of David, who were marriage- 
able, and not married, should 
bring their several rods to the 
altar, 

1 7 And out of whatsoever per- 
son's rod after it was brought, a 
flower should bud forth, and on 
the top of it the Spirit of the 
Lord should sit in the appear- 
ance of a dove, he should be the 
man to whom the Virgin should 
be given and be betrothed. 

CHAP. VI. 

I Joseph draws back his rod. 5 The 
dove pitches on it. He betroths 
Mary and returns to Bethlehon. 7 
Mary returns to her parents' house 
at Galilee. 

AMONG the rest there was a 
man named Joseph, of the 
house and family of David, and 
a person very far advanced in .-, 
years, who drew back his rod, I 
when every one besides pre- 
sented his. 

2 So that when nothing ap- 
peared agreeable to the heavenly 
voice, the high-priest judged it 
proper to consult God again, 

3 Who answered that he to 
whom the Virgin was to be be- 
trothed was the only person of 
those who were brought together, 
who had not brought his rod. 

4 Joseph therefore was be- 
trayed. 

5 For, when he did bring his 
rod, and a dove coming from 
Heaven pitched upon the top of 
it, every one plainly saw, that 
the Virgin was to be betrothed 
to him: 



(22) 



Ans^el Gabriel salutes Maty MARY, and fells her she shall conceive, 

6 Accordingly, the usual cere- 
mony of betrothing being over, 
he returned to his own city of 
Bethlehem, to set his house in 
order, and make the needful pro- 
visions for the marriage. 

7 But the Virgin of the Lord, 
Mary, with seven other virgins 
of the same age, who had been 
weaned at the same time, and 
who had been appointed to attend 
her by the priest, returned to her 
parents' house in Galilee. 

CHAP. VII. 

7 The Salutation of the Virgin by 
Gabriel, who explains to her that 
she shall conceive, without lying with 
a man, while a Virgin, ig dy the 
Holy Ghost coming upon her without 
the heats of lust. 21 She submits. 

NOW at this time of her first 
coming into Galilee, the 
angel Gabriel was sent to her 
from God, to declare to her the 
conception of our Saviour, and 
the manner and way of her con- 
ceiving him. 

2 Accordingly going into her, 
he filled the chamber where she 
was with a prodigious light, and 
in a most courteous manner sa- 
luting her, he said, 

3 Hail, Mary ! Virgin of the 
Lord most acceptable ! O Virgin 
full of grace ! The Lord is with 
you, you are blessed above all 
women, you are blessed above 
all men, that have been hitherto 
born.^ 

4 But the Virgin, who had be- 
fore been well acquainted with 
the countenance of angels, and 
to whom such light from heaven 
was no uncommon thing, 

5 Was neither terrified with 
the vision of the angel, nor 
astonished at the greatness of the 

• Luke, i. 28. 



light, but only troubled about 
the angel's words: 

6 And began to consider what 
so extraordinary a salutation 
should mean, what it did portend, 
or what sort of end it would 
have.^ 

7 To this thought the angel, 
divinely inspired, replies; 

8 Fear not, Mary, as though I 
intended anything inconsistent 
with your chastity in this salu- 
tation : 

9 For you have found favor 
with the Lord, because you made 
virginity your choice. 

10 Therefore while you are a 
Virgin, you shall conceive with- 
out sin, and bring forth a son. 

11 He shall be great, because 
he shall reign from sea to sea, 
and from the rivers even to the 
ends of the earth.' 

12 And he shall be called the 
Son of the Highest ; for he who 
is born in a mean state on earth, 
reigns in an exalted one in 
heaven. 

13 And the Lord shall give 
him the throne of his father 
David, and he shall reign over 
the house of Jacob forever, and 
of his kingdom there shall be no 
end. 

14 For he is the King of Kings, 
and Lord of Lords, and his throne 
is for ever and ever. 

15 To this discourse of the 
angel the Virgin replied not, as 
though she were unbelieving, 
but willing to know the manner 
of it. 

16 She said, How can that be? 
For seeing, according to my vow, 
I have never known any man, 

'Luke, i. 29. 
2 Luke, i. 31, &c. 



(23) 



She is married to Joseph, MARY. An angel appears to him. 



how can I bear a child without 
the addition of a man's seed, 

17 To this the angel replied 
and said, Think not, Mary, that 
you shall conceive in the ordi- 
nary way. 

18 For, without lying with a 
man, while a Virgin, you shall 
conceive; while a Virgin, you 
shall bring forth; and while a 
Virgin shall give suck. 

19 For the Holy Ghost shall 
come upon you, and the power 
of the Most High shall over- 
shadow you, without any of the 
heats of lust. 

20 So that which shall be born 
of you shall be only holy, be- 
cause it only is conceived without 
sin, and being born, shall be 
called the Son of God. 

2 1 Then Mary stretching forth 
her hands, and lifting her eyes 
to heaven said. Behold the hand- 
maid of the Lord ! Let it be unto 
me according to thy word.^ 

CHAP. VIII. 

I Joseph returns to Galilee to marry 
the Virgin he had betrothed, /^per- 
ceives she is with child, 5 is uneasy, 
T purposes to put her away privily, 
8 is told by the angel of the Lord it 
is not the work of man but the Holy 
Ghost y 12 Marries her, but keeps 
chaste, 13 removes with her to 
Bethlehem,, 15 where she brings 
forth Christ. 

JOSEPH therefore went from 
Judaea to Galilee, with in- 
tention to marry the Virgin who 
was bethrothed to him : 

2 For it was now near three 
months since she was betrothed 
to him. 

3 At length it plainly appeared 
she was with child, and it could 
not be hid from Joseph ; 

1 Luke, i. 38. 



4 For going to the Virgin in a 
free manner, as one espoused, 
and talking familiarly with her, 
he perceived her to be with 
child. 

5 And thereupon began to be 
uneasy and doubtful, not know- 
ing what course it would be best 
to take ; 

6 For being a just man, he 
was not willing to expose her, 
nor defame her by the suspicion 
of being a whore, since he was a 
pious man. 

7 He purposed therefore pri- 
vately to put an end to their 
agreement, and as privately to 
put her away. 

8 But while he was mediating 
these things,^ behold the angel 
of the Lord appeared to him in 
his sleep and said, Joseph, son 
of David, fear not ; 

9 Be not willing to entertain 
any suspicion of the Virgin's 
being guilty of fornication, or to 
think any thing amiss of her, 
neither be afraid to take her to 
wife; 

10 For that which is begotten 
in her and now distresses your 
mind, is not the work of man, 
but the Holy Ghost. 

11 For she of all women is 
that only Virgin who shall bring 
forth the Son of God, and you 
shall call his name Jesus, that 
is. Saviour : for he will save his 
people from their sins. 

12 Joseph thereupon, accord- 
ing to the command of the angel, 
married the Virgin, and did not 
know her, but kept her in chas- 
tity. 

13 And now the ninth month 
from her conception drew near, 

> Matt. i. 19. 



(34) 




n rr I 



JoachirrCs offering THE PROTEVANGELION. 



when Joseph took his wife and 
what other things were neces- 
sary to Bethlehem, the city from 
whence he came. 

14 And it came to pass, while 
they were there, the days were 
fulfilled for her bringing forth. 



15 And she brought forth her 
first-born son, as the holy Evan- 
gelists have taught, even our 
Lord Jesus Christ, who with the 
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, 
lives and reigns to everlasting 
ages. 



The PROTEVANGELION ; or. An Historical Account of the 
BIRTH OF CHRIST, and the perpetual VIRGIN MARY, his 
Mother, by JAMES the lesser. Cousin and Brother of the 
Lord Jesus, chief Apostle and first Bishop of the Christians 
in Jerusalem. 

[This Gospel is ascribed to James. The allusions to it in the ancient Fathers 
are frequent, and their expressions indicate that it had obtained a very 
general credit in the Christian world. The controversies founded upon 
It chiefly relate to the age of Joseph at the birth of Christ, and to his 
being a widower with children, before his marriage with the Virgin. 
It seems material to remark, that the legends of the latter ages affirm 
the virginity of Joseph, notwithstanding Epiphanius, Hilary, Chrysostom, 
Cyril, Euthymius, Thephyladl, Occumenius, and indeed all the Latin 
Fathers till Ambrose, and the Greek Fathers afterwards, maintain the 
opinions of Joseph's age and family, founded upon their belief in the 
authenticity of this book. It is supposed to have been originally composed 
in Hebrew. Postellus brought the MS. of this Gospel from the Levant, 
translated it into Latin, and sent it to Oporimus, a printer at Basil, where 
Bibliander, a Protestant Divine, and the Professor of Divinity at Zurich, 
caused it to be printed in 1552. Postellus asserts that it was publicly read 
as canonical in the eastern churches, they making no doubt that James 
was the author of it. It is, nevertheless, considered, apocryphal by some 
of the most learned divines in the Protestant and Catholic churches.] 



CHAP. I. 

I Joachinty a rich man, 2 offers to the 
Lord, 3 is opposed by Reuben the 
high-priest, because he has not begot- 
ten issue in Israel, 6 retires into the 
wilderness and fasts forty days and 
forty flights. 

IN the history of the twelve 
tribes of Israel we read there 
was a certain person called Joa- 
chim, who being very rich, made 
double^ offerings to the Lord 
God, having made this resolu- 
tion: my substance shall be for 
the benefit of the whole people, 
and that I may find mercy from 

» That is, gave as much more as he 
was obliged to give. 



(25) 



the Lord God for the forgiveness 
of my sins. 

2 But at a certain great feast 
of the Lord, when the children 
of Israel offered their gifts, ana 
Joachim also offered his, Reuben 
the high-priest opposed him, say- 
ing it is not lawful for thee to 
offer thy gifts, seeing thou hast 
not begot any issue in Israel. 

3 At this Joachim being con- 
cerned very much, went away to 
consult the registries of the 
twelve tribes, to see whether he 
was the only person who had 
begot no issue. 

4 But upon inquiry lie found 



rejected for his THE PROTEVANGELION. 



barrenness- 



that all the righteous had raised 
up seed in Israel: 

5 Then he called to mind the 
patriarch Abraham, How that 
God in the end of his life had 
given him his son Isaac; upon 
which he was exceedingly dis- 
tressed, and would not be seen 
by his wife : 

6 But retired into the wilder- 
ness, and fixed his tent there, 
and fasted forty days and forty 
nights, saying to himself, 

7 I will not go down either to 
eat or drink, till the Lord my 
God shall look down upon me, 
but prayer shall be my meat and 
drink/ 

CHAP. II. 

I Annay the wife of Joachim, mourns 
her barrenness, 6 is reproached 
with it by Judith her maid, 9 sits 
under a laurel tree and prays to the 
Lord. 

IN the mean time his wife Anna 
was distressed and perplexed 
on a double account, and said, I 
will mourn both for my widow- 
hood and my barrenness. 

2 Then drew near a great feast 
of the Lord, and Judith her maid 
said, How long will you thus 
afflict your soul? The feast of 
the Lord is now come, when it 
is unlawful for any one to mourn. 

3 Take therefore this hood 
which was given by one who 
makes such things, for it is not 
fit that I, who am a servant, 
should wear it, but it well suits 
a person of your greater char- 
acter. 

4 But Anna replied, Depart 

^ ^ In imitation of the forty days and 
nights fast ot Moses, recorded Exod. 
xxiv. II. xxxiv. 28. Deut. ix. 9 ; of 
Elijahj I Kings, xix. 8 ; and Christ's, 
Matt. IV. 2. 



from me, I am not used to such 
things; besides the Lord hath 
greatly humbled me. 

5 I fear some ill-designing 
person hath given thee this, and 
thou art come to pollute me with 
my sin„ 

6 Then Judith her maid an- 
swered, what evil shall I wish 
you when you will not hearken 
to me? 

7 I cannot wish you a greater 
curse than you are under, in that 
God hath shut up your womb, 
that you should not be a mother 
in Israel. 

8 At this Anna was exceed- 
ingly troubled, and having on 
her wedding garment, went about 
three o'clock in the afternoon to 
walk in her garden. 

9 And she saw a laurel-tree, 
and sat under it, and prayed unto 
the Lord, saying, 

10 O God of my fathers, bless 
me and regard my prayer, as 
thou didst bless the womb of 
Sarah, and gavest her a son 
Isaac. ^ 

CHAP. III. 

I Anna perceiving a sparrow^ s nest in 
the laurels bemoans her barrenness, 

AND as she was looking to- 
wards heaven she perceived 
a sparrow's nest in the laurel. 

2 And mourning within her- 
self, she said. Woe is me, who 
begat me? and what womb did 
bear me, that I should be thus 
accursed before the children of 
Israel, and that they should re- 
proach and deride me in the 
temple of my God : Woe is me, 
to what can I be compared? 

3 I am not comparable to the 
very beasts of the earth, for even 

*Gen. xxi. 2. 



(26) 



Angels foretell THE PROTEVANGELION. Mary's birth. 



the beasts of the earth are fruit- 
ful before thee, O Lord ! Woe is 
me, to what can I be compared? 

4 I am not comparable to the 
brute animals, for even the brute 
animals are fruitful before thee, 

Lord ! Woe is me, to what am 

1 comparable? 

5 I cannot be compared to 
these waters, for even the waters 
are fruitful before thee, O Lord ! 
Woe is me, to what can I be 
compared ? 

6 I am not comparable to the 
waves of the sea ; for these, wheth- 
er they are calm, or in motion, 
with the fishes which are in 
them, praise thee, O Lord ! Woe 
is me to what can I be compared ? 

7 I am not comparable to the 
very earth, for the earth produces 
its fruits, and praises thee, O 
Lord! 

CHAP. IV. 

I An angel appears to Anna and tells 
her she shall conceive ; two angels 
appear to her on the same errand. 
5 Joachim sacrifices. 8 Anna goes 
to m,eet him, 9 rejoicing that she 
shall conceive. 

THEN an angel of the Lord 
stood by her and said, Anna, 
Anna, the Lord hath heard thy 
prayer; thou shalt conceive and 
bring forth, and thy progeny 
shall be spoken of in all the 
world. 

2 And Anna answered. As the 
Lord my God liveth, whatever I 
bring forth, whether it be male 
or female, I will devote it to the 
Lord my God and it shall minis- 
ter to him in holy things, during 
its whole life. 

3 And behold there appeared 
two angels, saying unto her. Be- 
hold Joachim thy husband is 
coming with his shepherds. 



4 For an angel of the Lord 
hath also come down to him, and 
said. The Lord God hath heard 
thy prayer, make haste and go 
hence, for behold Anna thy wife 
shall conceive. 

5 And Joachim went down 
and called his shepherds, saying 
Bring me hither ten she-lambs 
without spot or blemish, and they 
shall be for the Lord my God. 

6 And bring me twelve calves 
without blemish, and the twelve 
calves shall be for the priests 
and the elders. 

7 Bring me also a hundred 
goats, and the hundred goats 
shall be for the whole people. 

8 And Joachim went down 
with the shepherds, and Anna 
stood by the gate and saw Joa- 
chim coming with the shepherds. 

9 And she ran, and hanging 
about his neck, said. Now I know 
that the Lord hath greatly bless- 
ed me: 

10 For behold, I who was a 
widow^ am no longer a widow, 
and I who was barren shall con- 



ceive. 



CHAP. V. 



I Joachim, abides the first day in his 
house but sacrifices on the m,orrow. 
2 Consults the plate on the priesfs 
Jorehead. 3 And is without sin. 
6 Anna brings forth a daughter., 
g whom, she calls Mary. 

AND Joachim abode the first 
day in his house, but on the 
morrow he brought his offerings, 
and said, 

2 If the Lord be propitious to 
me let the plate which is on the 
priest's forehead * make it mani- 
fest. 

•Such an instrument God had ap- 
pointed the high-priest to wear for such 
discoveries. See Exod. xxviii. 36, &c., 
and Spencer de Urim et Thummim. 



(27) 



Her dedication THE PROTEVANGELION. in the temple. 



3 And he consulted the plate 
which the priest wore, and saw 
it, and behold sin was not found 
in him. 

4 And Joachim said. Now I 
know that the Lord is propitious 
to me, and hath taken away all 
my sins. 

5 And he went down from the 
temple of the Lord justified, and 
he went to his own house. 

6 And when nine months were 
fulfilled to Anna, she brought 
forth, and said to the midwife. 
What have I brought forth ? 

7 And she told her, A girl. 

8 Then Anna said. The Lord 
hath this day magnified my soul ; 
and she laid her in bed. 

9 And when the days of her 
purification were accomplished, 
she gave suck to the child, and 
called her name Mary. 

CHAP. VI. 

I Mary at nine months old^ walks 
nine steps, 3 Anna keeps her holy, 
4 when she is a year old, Joachim 
m,akes a great feast, 7 Antia gives 
her the breast, and sings a song to 
the Lord. 

AND the child increased in 
strength every day, so that 
when she was nine months old, 
her mother put her upon the 
ground to try if she could stand ; 
and when she had walked nine 
steps, she came again to her 
mother's lap. 

2 Then her mother caught her 
up, and said, As the Lord my 
God liveth, thou shalt not walk 
again on this earth, till I bring 
thee into the temple of the Lord. 

3 Accordingly she made her 
chamber a holy place, and suf- 
fered nothing uncommon, or un- 
clean to come near her, but 
invited certain undefiled daugh- 



ters of Israel, and they drew her 
aside. 

4 But when the child was a 
year old, Joachim made a great 
feast, and invited the priests, 
scribes, elders, and all the people 
of Israel ; 

5 And Joachim then made an 
offering of the girl to the chief- 
priests, and they blessed her, 
saying, The God of our fathers 
bless this girl, and give her a 
name famous and lasting through 
all generations. And all the 
people replied, So be it, Amen. 

6 Then Joachim a second time 
offered her to the priests, and 
they blessed her, saying, O most 
high God, regard this girl, and 
bless her with an everlasting 
blessing. 

7 Upon this her mother took 
her up, and gave her the breast, 
and sung the following song to 
the Lord.' 

8 I will sing a song unto the 
Lord my God, for he hath visited 
me, and taken away from me the 
reproach of mine enemies, and 
hath given me the fruit of his 
righteousness, that it may now 
be told the sons of Reuben, that 
Anna gives suck. 

9 Then she put the child to 
rest in the room which she had 
consecrated, and she went out 
and ministered unto them. 

10 And when the feast was 
ended, they went away rejoicing, 
and praising the God of Israel. 

CHAP. VII. 

3 Mary being three years old, Joachim, 
causes certain virgins to light each 
a lam,p, and goes with her to the 
temple. 5 The high-priest places her 
on the third step of the altar, and she 
dances with her feet. 

'Compare i Sam. ii.&c, with Luke,i.46. 



(28) 



Joseph throws THE PROTEVANGELION. away his hatchet 



BUT the girl grew, and when 
she was two years old, Joa- 
chim said to Anna, Let us lead 
her to the temple of the Lord, 
that we may perform our vow, 
which we have vowed unto the 
Lord God, lest he should be 
angry with us, and our offering 
be unacceptable. 

2 But Anna said. Let us wait 
the third year, lest she should 
be at a loss to know her father. 
And Joachim said, Let us then 
wait. 

3 And when the child was 
three years old, Joachim said, 
Let us invite the daughters of 
the Hebrews, who are undefiled, 
and let them take each a lamp, 
and let them be lighted, that the 
child may not turn back again, 
and her mind be set against the 
temple of the Lord, 

4 And they did thus till they 
ascended into the temple of the 
Lord. And the high-priest re- 
ceived her, and blessed her, and 
said, Mary, the Lord God hath 
magnified thy name to all genera- 
tions, and to the very end of time 
by thee will the Lord shew his 
redemption to the children of 
Israel. 

5 And he placed her upon the 
third step of the altar, and the 
Lord gave unto her grace, and 
she danced with her feet, and all 
the house of Israel loved her. 

CHAP. VIII. 

I Mary fed in the tentple by angels, 3 
when twelve years old the priests 
consult what to do with her, 6 The 
angel of the Lord warns Zacharias 
to call together all the widowers, 
each bringing a rod. 7 The people 
meet by sound of trumpet. 8 Jo- 
seph throws away his hatchet, and 
goes to the meeting, 11 a dove comes 



forth from his rod, and alights on 
his head. 12 He is chosen to betroth 
the Virgin, 13 refuses because he 
is an old f nan, \^ is compelled, 16 
takes her hom.e, and goes to mind 
his trade of building. 

AND her parents went away 
filled with wonder, and 
praising God, because the girl 
did not return back to them. 

2 But Mary continued in the 
temple as a dove educated there, 
and received her food from the 
hand of an angel. 

3 And when she was twelve 
years of age, the priests met in 
a council, and said. Behold, Mary 
is twelve years of age; what 
shall we do with her, for fear 
lest the holy place of the Lord 
our God should be defiled ? 

4 Then replied the priests to 
Zacharias the high-priest, Do 
you stand at the altar of the 
Lord, and enter into the holy 
place, and make petitions con- 
cerning her, and whatsoever the 
Lord shall manifest unto you, 
that do. 

5 Then the high-priest entered 
into the Holy of Holies, and 
taking away with him the breast- 
plate of judgment ^ made prayers 
concerning her; 

6 And behold the angel of the 
Lord came to him, and said, Za- 
charias, Zacharias, Go forth and 
call together all the widowers 
among the people, and let every 
one of them bring his rod, and 
he by whom the Lord shall shew 
a sign shall be the husband of 
Mary. 

7 And the criers went out 
through all Judaea, and the trump- 
et of the Lord sounded, and all 
the people ran and met together. 

*See £xod. xxviii. 22, &c. 



(29) 



Ularys lot to 



THE PROTEVANGELION. spin the purple. 



8 ^11 Joseph also throwing away 
his hatchet, went out to meet 
them ; and when they were met, 
they went to the high-priest, tak- 
ing every man his rod. 

9 After the high-priest had 
received their rods, he went into 
the temple to pray ; 

10 And when he had finished 
his prayer, he took the rods, and 
went forth and distributed them, 
and there was no miracle attended 
them. 

1 1 The last rod was taken by 
Joseph, and behold a dove pro- 
ceeded out of the rod, and flew 
upon the head of Joseph. 

12 And the high-priest said, 
Joseph, Thou art the person 
chosen to take the Virgin of the 
Lord, to keep her for him : 

13 But Joseph refused, saying, 
I am an old man, and have chil- 
dren, but she is young, and I 
fear lest I should appear ridicu- 
lous in Israel. 

14 Then the high-priest re- 
plied, Joseph, Fear the Lord thy 
God, and remember how God 
dealt with Dathan, Korah and 
Abiram, how the earth opened 
and swallowed them up, because 
of their contradiction. 

15 Now therefore, Joseph, fear 
God lest the like things should 
happen in your famil}^ • 

16 Joseph then being afraid, 
took her unto his house, and Jo- 
seph said unto Mary, Behold, I 
have taken thee from the temple 
of the Lord, and now I will leave 
thee in my house ; I must go to 
mind my trade of building. The 
Lord be with thee. 

CHAP. IX. 

I The priests desire a new veil for the 
temple ^ 3 seven virgins cast lots for 



making different parts of it, 4 the 
lot to spin the true purple falls to 
Mary. 5 Zacharias, the high-priest, 
becomes dumb. 7 Mary takes a pot 
to draw water, and hears a voice, 8 
trembles and begins to work, 9 an 
angel appears, and salutes her, and 
tells her she shall conceive by the 
Holy Ghost, 17 she submits, 19 insits 
her cousin Elizabeth, whose child in 
her womb leaps. 

AND it came to pass, in a 
council of the priests, it 
was said, Let us make a new veil 
for the temple of the Lord. 

2 And the high-priest said, 
Call together to me seven unde- 
filed virgins of the tribe of Da- 
vid. 

3 And the servants went and 
brought them into the temple of 
the Lord, and the high-priest 
said unto them. Cast lots before 
me now, who of you shall spin 
the golden thread, who the blue, 
who the scarlet, who the fine 
linen, and who the true purple. 

4 Then the high-priest knew 
Mary ; that she was of the tribe 
of David ; and he called her, and 
the true purple fell to her lot to 
spin, and she went away to her 
own house. 

5 But from that time Zachari- 
as the high-priest became dumb, 
and Samuel was placed in his 
room till Zacharias spoke again. 

6 But Mary took the true pur- 
ple, and did spin it. 

7 ^ And she took a pot, and 
went out to draw water, and 
heard a voice saying unto her, 
Hail thou who art full of grace, 
' the Lord is with thee ; thou art 
blessed among women. 

8 And she looked around to 
the right and to the left (to see) 
whence that voice came, and then 

* Luke, i. 28, &c. 



C30) 



Joseph's jealousy. THE PROTEVANGELION. He is warned. 



trembling went into her house, 
and laying down the water-pot 
she took the purple, and sat down 
in her seat to work it. 

9 And behold the angel of the 
Lord stood by her, and said, Fear 
not, Mary, for thou has found 
favor in the sight of God ; 

ID Which when she heard, she 
reasoned with herself what that 
sort of salutation meant. 

11 And the angel said unto 
her, The Lord is with thee, and 
thou shalt conceive: 

1 2 To which she replied. What ! 
shall I conceive by the living 
God and bring forth as all other 
women do? 

13 But the angel returned an- 
swer. Not so, O Mary, but the 
Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, 
and the power of the Most High 
shall overshadow thee ; 

14 Wherefore that which shall 
be born of thee shall be holy, 
and shall be called the Son of 
the Living God, and thou shalt 
call his name Jesus ; for he shall 
save his people from their sins. 

15 And behold thy cousin 
Elizabeth, she also hath con- 
ceived a son in her old age. 

16 And this now is the sixth 
month with her, who was called 
barren ; for nothing is impossible 
with God. 

17 And Mary said, Behold the 
handmaid of the Lord ; let it be 
unto me according to thy word. 

18 If And when she had 
wrought her purple, she carried 
it to the high-priest, and the 
high-priest blessed her, saying, 
Mary, the Lord God hath mag- 
nified thy name, and thou shalt 
be blessed in all the ages of the 
world. 



(31) 



19 Then Mary, filled with joy, 
went away to hei cousin Eliza- 
beth, and knockeo at the door. 

20 Which when Elizabeth 
heard, she ran and opened to 
her, and blessed her, and said, 
Whence is this to me, that the 
mother of my Lord should come 
unto me? 

2 1 For lo ! as soon as the voice 
of thy salutation reached my ears, 
that which is in me leaped and 
blessed thee. 

22 But Mary, being ignorant 
of all those mysterious things 
which the archangel Gabriel had 
spoken to her, lifted up her eyes 
to heaven, and said. Lord ! What 
am I, that all the generations of 
the earth should call me blessed ? ^ 

23 But perceiving herself daily 
to grow big, and being afraid, she 
went home, and hid herself from 
the children of Israel ; and was 
fourteen years old when all these 
things happened. 

CHAP. X. 

I Joseph returns from building houses^ 
finds the Virgin grown big, being 
six months gone with child, 2 is 
jealous and troubled, 8 reproaches 
her, 10 she affirms her innocence, 
i2i he leaves her, 16 determines to 
disTfiiss her privately, 17 is warned 
in a dream, that Mary is with child 
by the Holy Ghost, 20 and glorifies 
God. who had shown him, such favor. 

AND when her sixth month 
was come, Joseph returned 
from his building houses abroad, 
which was his trade, and entering 
into the house, found the Virgin 
grown big: 

2 Then smiting upon his face, 
he said. With what face can I 
look up to the Lord my God ? or, 
what shall I say concerning this 
young woman ? 

» Luke, ii. 39, &c. 



Joseph and Mary's THE PROTEVANGELION. chastity proved^ 



3 For I received her a Virgin 
out of the temple of the Lord my 
God, and have not preserved her 
such! 

4 Who has thus deceived me ? 
Who has corimitted this evil in 
my house, and seducing the Vir- 
gin from me, hath defiled her ? 

5 Is not the history of Adam 
exactly accomplished in me? 

6 For in the very instant of 
his glory, the serpent came and 
found Eve alone, and seduced 
her. 

7 Just after the same manner 
it has happened to me. 

8 Then Joseph arising from 
the ground, called her, and said, 
O thou who hast been so much 
favored by God, why hast thou 
done this? 

9 Why hast thou thus debased 
thy soul, who wast educated in 
the Holy of Holies, and re- 
ceived thy food from the hand 
of angels? 

ID But she, with a flood of 
tears, replied, I am innocent, and 
have known no man. 

11 Then said Joseph, How 
comes it to pass you are with 
child? 

12 Mary answered. As the 
Lord my God liveth, I know not 
by what means. 

13 T^ Then Joseph was exceed- 
ingly afraid, and went away from 
her, considering what he should 
do with her ; and he thus reason- 
ed with himself : ' 

14 If I conceal her crime, I 
shall be found guilty by the law 
of the Lord ; 

15 And if I discover her to 
the children of Israel, I fear, lest 
she being with child by an angel, 

» See Matt. i. 18. 



I shall be found to betray the 
life of an innocent person: 

16 What therefore shall I do? 
I will privately dismiss her. 

17 Then the night was come 
upon him, when behold an angel 
of the Lord appeared to him in a 
dream and said, 

18 Be not afraid to take that 
young woman, for that which is 
within her is of the Holy Ghost ; 

19 And she shall bring forth 
a son, and thou shalt call his 
name Jesus, for he shall save his 
people from their sins. 

20 Then Joseph arose from his 
sleep, and glorified the God of 
Israel, who had shewn him such 
favor, and preserved the Virgin. 

CHAP. XL 

3 Annas visits Joseph, perceives the 
Virgin big with child, 4 informs the 
high-priest that Joseph hadpHvately 
married her. 8 Joseph and Mary 
brought to trial on the charge, 17 
Joseph drinks the water of the Lord 
as an ordeal, and receiving no harm^ 
returns home. 

THEN came Annas the scribe, 
and said to Joseph, Where- 
fore have we not seen you since 
your return? 

2 And Joseph replied. Because 
I was weary after my journey, 
and rested the first day. 

3 But Annas turning about 
perceived the Virgin big with 
child. 

4 And went away to the priest, 
and told him, Joseph in whom 
you placed so much confidence, 
is guilty of a notorious crime, in 
that he hath defiled the Virgin 
whom he received out of the 
temple of the Lord, and hath 
privately married her, not dis- 
covering it to the children of 
Israel. 



(32) 



Josephs trial. THE PROTEVANGELION. and acquittal 



5 Then said the priest, Hath 
Joseph done this? 

6 Annas replied, If you send 
any of your servants you will 
find that she is with child. 

7 And the servants went, and 
found it as he said. 

8 Upon this both she and Jo- 
seph were brought to their trial 
and the priest said unto her, 
Mary, what hast thou done? 

9 Why hast thou debased thy 
soul, and forgot thy God, seeing 
thou wast brought up in the 
Holy of Holies, and didst receive 
thy food from the hands of 
angels, and heardest their songs ? 

ID Why hast thou done this? 

11 To which with a flood of 
tears she answered, As the Lord 
my God liveth, I am innocent in 
his sight, seeing I know no man. 

12 Then the priest said to Jo- 
seph, Why hast thou done this ? 

13 And Joseph answered, As 
the Lord my God liveth, I have 
not been concerned with her. 

14 But the priest said, Lie not, 
but declare the truth ; thou hast 
privately married her, and not 
discovered it to the children of 
Israel, and humbled thyself un- 
der the mighty hand (of God), 
that thy seed might be blessed : 

15 And Joseph was silent. 

16 Then said the priest (to 
Joseph), You must restore to the 
temple of the Lord the Virgin 
which you took thence. 

17 But he wept bitterly, and 
the priest added, I will cause 
you both to drink the water of 
the Lord,' which is for trial, and 
so your iniquity shall be laid 
open before you. 

18 Then the priest took the 

* Num. V. 18. 



water, and made Joseph drink, 
and sent him to a mountainous 
place, 

19 And he returned perfec5tly 
well, and all the people wondered 
that his guilt was not discov- 
ered. 

20 So the priest said. Since the 
Lord hath not made your sins 
evident, neither do I condemn 
you. 

21 So he sent them away. 

22 Then Joseph took Mary, 
and went to his house, rejoicing 
and praising the God of Israel. 

CHAP. XII. 

I A decree from Augustus for taxing 
the Jews., 5 Joseph puts Mary on an 
ass, to return to Bethlehem, 6 she 
looks sorrowful, ^ she laughs, 8 Jo- 
seph inquires the cause of each, 9 she 
tells him, she sees two persons, one 
mourning and the other rejoicing. 
10 The delivery being near, he takes 
her from, the ass, and places her in a 
cave. 

AND it came to pass, that there 
went forth a decree ' from 
the Emperor Augustus, that all 
the Jews should be taxed, who 
were of Bethlehem in Judsea : 

2 And Joseph said, I will take 
care that my children be taxed : 
but what shall I do with this 
young woman ? 

3 To have her taxed as my 
wife I am ashamed ; and if I tax 
her as my daughter, all Israel 
knows she is not my daughter. 

4 When the time of the Lord's 
appointment shall come, let him 
do as seems good to him. 

5 And he saddled the ass, 
and put her upon it, and Joseph 
and Simon followed after her, 
and arrived at Bethlehem within 
three miles. 

6 Then Joseph turning about 

* Luke ii. i. 



(33) 



Miracles at 



THE PROTEVANGELION. Mary's labor. 



saw Mary sorrowful, and said 
within himself, Perhaps she is in 
pain through that which is with- 
in her. 

7 But when he turned about 
again, he saw her laughing, and 
said to her, 

8 Mary, how happens it, that 
I sometimes see sorrow, and 
sometimes laughter and joy in 
thy countenance ? 

9 And Mary replied to him, I 
see two people with my eyes, the 
one weeping and mourning, the 
other laughing and rejoicing. 

10 And he went again across 
the way, and Mary said to Jo- 
seph, Take me down from the 
ass, for that which is in me 
presses to come forth. 

1 1 But Joseph replied. Whith- 
er shall I take thee? for the 
place is desert. 

12 Then said Mary again to 
Joseph, take me down, for that 
which is within me mightily 
presses me. 

13 And Joseph took her down. 

14 And he found there a cave, 
and let her into it. 

CHAP. XIII. 

I Joseph seeks a Hebrew midwife, 2 
perceives the fowls stopping in their 
flight, 3 the working people at their 
food not moving, 8 the sheep stand- 
ing still, 9 the shepherd' fixed and 
hnmovable, 10 and kids with their 
mouths touching the water but not 
drinking. 

AND leaving her and his sons 
in the cave, Joseph went 
forth to seek a Hebrew midwife 
in the village of Bethlehem. 

2 But as I was going (said Jo- 
seph) I looked up into the air, 
and I saw the clouds astonished, 
and the fowls of the air stopping 
in the midst of their flight 



3 And I looked down towards 
the earth, and saw a table spread, 
and working people sitting 
around it, but their hands were 
upon the table and they did not 
move to eat. 

4 They who had meat in their 
mouths did not eat. 

5 They who lifted their hands 
up to their heads did not draw 
them back: 

6 And they who lifted them 
up to their mouths did not put 
any thing in. 

7 But all their faces were fixed 
upwards. 

8 And I beheld the sheep dis- 
persed, and yet the sheep stood 
still. 

9 And the shepherd lifted 
up his hand to smite them, and 
his hand continued up. 

10 And I looked unto a river, 
and saw the kids with their 
mouths close to the water, and 
touching it, but they did not 
drink. 

CHAP. XIV. 

I Joseph finds a m-idwife. 10 A bright 
cloud overshadows the cave. 11 A 
great light in the cave, gradually 
increases until the infant is born. 13 
The midwife goes out and tells 
Salome that she has seen a virgin 
bring forth. 17 Salome doubts it, 
20 her hand withers, 22 she sup- 
plicates the Lord, 28 is cured, 30 
but warned not to declare what she 
had seen. 

THEN I beheld a woman com- 
ing down from the mount- 
ains, and she said to me, Where 
art thou going, O man? 

2 And I said to her I go to 
enquire for a Hebrew midwife. 

3 She replied to me. Where 
is the woman that is to be de- 
livered ? 



(34) 




The NoJtiv^ 



Christ bom. 



THE PROTEVANGELION. Salome's unbelief. 



4 And I answered, In the cave, 
and she is betrothed to me. 

5 Then said the midwife, Is 
she not thy wife? 

6 Joseph answered, It is Mary, 
who was educated in the Holy 
of Holies, in the house of the 
Lord, and she fell to me by lot, 
and is not my wife, but has con- 
ceived by the Holy Ghost. 

7 The midwife said. Is this 
true? 

8 He answered. Come and 

see. 

9 And the midwife went along 
with him, and stood in the cave. 

10 Then a bright cloud over- 
shadowed the cave, and the mid- 
wife said. This day my soul is 
magnified, for mine eyes have 
seen surprising things, and salva- 
tion is brought forth to Israel. 

1 1 But on a sudden the cloud 
became a great light in the cave, 
so that their eyes could not 
bear it. 

12 But the light gradually de- 
creased, until the infant appear- 
ed, and sucked the breast of his 
mother Mary. 

13 Then the midwife cried out, 
and said, How glorious a day is 
this, wherein mine eyes have 
seen this extraordinary sight ! 

14 And the midwife went out 
from the cave, and Salome met 
her. 

15 And the midwife said to 
her, Salome, Salome, I will tell 
you a most surprising thing 
which I saw, 

16 A virgin hath brought 
forth, which is a thing contrary 
to nature. 

17 To which Salome replied. 
As the Lord my God liveth un- 
less I receive particular proof of 



this matter, I will not believe 
that a virgin hath brought forth. 

18 ^ Then Salome went in, 
and the midwife said, Mary, shew 
thyself, for a great controversy 
is risen concerning thee. 

19 And Salome received satis- 
fac5lion. 

20 But her hand was withered 
and she groaned bitterly, 

21 And said. Woe to me, be- 
cause of mine iniquity; for I 
have tempted the living God, and 
my hand is ready to drop off. 

22 Then Salome made her sup- 
plication to the Lord, and said, 
O God of my fathers, remember 
me, for I am of the seed of 
Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob. 

23 Make me not a reproach 
among the children of Israel, but 
restore me sound to my parents. 

24 For thou well knowest, O 
Lord, that I have performed many 
offices of charity in thy name, 
and have received my reward 
from thee. 

25 Upon this an angel of the 
Lord stood by Salome, and said, 
The Lord God hath heard thy 
prayer, reach forth thy hand to 
the child, and carry him, and 
by that means thou shalt be re- 
stored. 

26 Salome filled with exceed- 
ing joy, went to the child, and 
said, I will touch him ; 

27 And she purposed to wor- 
ship him, for she said. This is a 
a great king, which is born in 
Israel. 

28 And straightway Salome 
was cured. 

29 Then the midwife went out 
of the cave, being approved by 
God. 

30 And lo! a voice came to 



(35) 



The wise men. THE PROTEVANGELION. Star in the East 



Salome. Declare not the strange ) an extraordinary large star shin- 



things which thou hast seen, till 
the child shall come to Jerusa- 
lem. 

31 So Salome also departed, 
approved by God. 

CHAP. XV. 

I Wise men come fro^n the east. 3 
Hei'od alartned ; 8 desires theyn if 
they find the child, to bring him 
word. 10 They visit the cave and 
offer the child their treasure, 11 and 
being warned in a dream,, do not re- 
turn to Herod, but go home another 
way. 

THEN Joseph was preparing 
to go away, because there 
arose a great disorder in Bethle- 
hem by the coming of^ some 
wise men from the East. 

2 Who said, Where is the king 
of the Jews born ? For we have 
seen his star in the east, and are 
come to worship him. 

3 When Herod heard this, he 
was exceedingly troubled, and 
sent messengers to the wise men, 
and to the priests, and enquired 
of them in the town-hall. 

4 And said unto them, Where 
have you it written concerning 
Christ the king, or where should 
he be born? 

5 Then they say unto him, In 
Bethlehem of Judaea ; for thus it 
is written : And thou Bethlehem 
in the land of Judah, art not the 
least among the princes of Judah, 
for out of thee shall come a ruler, 
who shall rule my people Israel. 

6 And having sent away the 
chief priests, he inquired of the 
wise men in the town-hall, and 
said unto them, What sign was it 
ye saw concerning the king that 
is born ? 

7 They answered him, We saw 

» Matt. ii. I, &c. 



ing among the stars of heaven, 
and so outshined all the other 
stars, as that they became not 
visible, and we knew thereby that 
a great king was born in Israel, 
and therefore we are come to 
worship him. 

8 Then said Herod to them, 
Go and make diligent inquiry; 
and if ye find the child, bring me 
word again, that I may come and 
worship him also. 

9 So the wise men went forth, 
and behold, the star which they 
saw in the east went before them, 
till it came and stood over the 
cave where the young child was 
with Mary his mother. 

10 Then they brought forth 
out of their treasures, and offered 
unto him gold and frankincense, 
and myrrh. 

11 And being warned in a 
dream by an angel that they 
should not return to Herod 
through Judaea, they departed 
into their own country by an- 
other way. 

CHAP. XVI. 

I Herod enraged, orders the infants in 
Bethlehem, to be slain. 2 Mary puts 
her infant in an ox-manger. 3 Eliz- 
abeth flees with her son fohn to the 
mountains. 6 A m^oimtain m,iracu- 
lously divides and receives them,. 9 
Herod incensed at the escape ofjohn^ 
causes Zacharias to be m,urdered ctt 
the altar, 23 the roofs of the tem,pie 
rent, the body miraculously conveyed, 
and the blood, petrified. 25 Israel 
m,ourns for him,. 2^ Simeon chosen 
his successor by lot. 

THEN Herod ' perceiving that 
he was mocked by the wise 
men, and being very angry, com- 
manded certain men to go and 
to kill all the children that were 
» Matt. ii. 16. 



(36) 




Massacre of Iniwcents^ 



Herod^s cruelty. THE PROTEVANGELION. Zachs. murcUred, 



in Bethlehem, from two years 
old and under. 

2 But Mary hearing that the 
children were to be killed, being 
under much fear, took the child, 
and wrapped him up in swad- 
dling clothes, and laid him in an 
ox-manger,^ because there was 
no room for them in the inn. 

3 Elizabeth also, hearing that 
her son John was about to be 
searched for, took him and went 
up unto the mountains, and 
looked around for a place to hide 
him; 

4 And there was no secret 
place to be found. 

5 Then she groaned within 
herself, and said, O mountain of 
the Lord, receive the mother with 
the child. 

6 For Elizabeth could not 
climb up. 

7 And instantly the mount- 
ain was divided and received 
them. 

8 And there appeared to them 
an angel of the Lord to preserve 
them. 

9 T But Herod made search 
after John, and sent servants to 
Zacharias, when he was (minis- 
tering) at the altar, and said un- 
to him, Where hast thou hid thy 
son? 

ID He replied to them, I am a 
minister of God, and a servant 
at the altar ; how should I know 
where my son is? 

1 1 So the servants went back, 
and told Herod the whole; at 
which he was incensed, and said. 
Is not this son of his like to be 
king in Israel ? 

1 2 He sent therefore again his 

» I*ike, ii. 7, is alluded to, though 
misapplied as to time. 



servants to Zacharias, saying, 
Tell us the truth, where is thy 
son, for you know that your life 
is in my hand. 

13 So the servants went and 
told him all this : 

14 But Zacharias replied to 
them, I am a martyr for God, 
and if ye shed my blood, the 
Lord will receive my soul. 

15 Besides know that ye shed 
innocent blood. 

16 However Zacharias was 
murdered in the entrance of the 
temple and altar, and about the 
partition ; 

17 But the children of Israel 
knew not when he was killed. 

18 T^ Then at the hour of sal- 
utation the priests went into the 
temple, but Zacharias did not 
according to custom meet them 
and bless them ; 

19 Yet they still continued 
waiting for him to salute them ; 

20 And when they found he 
did not in a long time come, one 
of them ventured into the holy 
place where the altar was, and 
he saw blood lying upon the 
ground congealed; 

2 1 When, behold, a voice from 
heaven said, Zacharias, is mur- 
dered, and his blood shall not be 
wiped away, until the revenger 
of his blood come. 

22 But when he heard this, he 
was afraid, and went forth and 
told the priests what he had seen 
and heard ; and they all went in, 
and saw the fact. 

23 Then the roofs of the tem- 
ple howled, and were rent from 
the top to the bottom. 

24 And they could not find 
the body, but only blood made 
hard like stone. 



(37) 



Simeon succeeds THE PROTEVANGELION. Zacharias. 

25 And they went away, and not die, till he had seen Christ 
told the people that Zacharias come in the flesh.^ 

was murdered, and all the tribes \ /, James wrote this History 
of Israel heard thereof, and in Jerusalem. : and when the dis- 
mourned for him, and lamented turbance was I retired into a desert 
three days/ place ^ until the death of Herod. 

26 Then the priests took coun- And the disturbance ceased at Jer- 
sel together concerning a person usalem. That which remains is, 



to succeed him. 

27 And Simeon and the other 
priests cast lots, and the lot fell 
upon Simeon. 

28 For he had been assured 
by the Holy Spirit, that he should 



that I glorify God that he hath 
given me such wisdom to write 
unto you who are spiritual, and 
who love God: to whom {be as- 
cribed^ glory and dominion for 
ever and ever, Amen. 



1 There is a story both in the Jerusalem and Babylonish Talmud very similar 
to this. It is cited by Dr. Lightfoot, Talmud, Hierosol, in Taanith, fol, 69 ; 
and Talmud, Babyl. in Sanhedr,, fol. 96. "Rabbi Jochanan said, Eighty 
thousand priests were slain for the blood of Zacharias. Rabbi Judas asked 
Rabbi Achan. Where did they kill Zacharias ? Was it in the woman's court, 
or in the court of Israel? He answered : Neither in the court of Israel, nor 
in the court of women, but in the court of the priests ; and they did not treat his 
blood in the same manner as they were wont to treat the blood of a ram or 
young goat. For of these it is written, He shall pour out his blood, and 
cover it with dust. But it is written here, The blood is in the midst of her : 
she set it upon the top of a rock ; she poured it not upon the ground. (Ezek. 
xxiv. 7.) But why was this ? That it might cause fury to come up to take 
vengeance : I have set his blood upon the top of a rock, that it should not be 
covered. They committed seven evils that day : they murdered a priest, a 
prophet, and a king ; they shed the blood of the innocent : they polluted the 
court : that day was the Sabbath : and the day of expiation, When therefore 
Nebuzaradan came there, (viz., Jerusalem,) he saw his blood bubbling, and 
said to them, What meaneth this ? They answered. It is the blood of calves, 
lambs, and rams, which we have offered upon the altar. He commanded 
then, that they should bring calves, and lambs, and rams, and said I will try 
whether this be their blood : accordingly they brought and slew them, but 
the blood of (Zacharias) still bubbled, but the blood of these did not bubble. 
Then he said, Declare to me the truth of this matter, or else I will comb your 
flesh with iron combs. Then said they to him. He was a priest, prophet, 
and judge, who prophesied to Israel all these calamities which we have 
suffered from you ; but we arose against him, and slew him. Then, said he, 
I will appease him : then he took the rabbins and slew them upon his (viz., 
Zacharias's) blood, and he was not yet appeased. Next he took the young 
boys from the schools, and slew them upon his blood, and yet it bubbled. 
Then he brought the young priests and slew them in the same place, and 
yet it still bubbled. So he slew at length ninety-four thousand persons upon 
his blood, and it did not as yet cease bubbling, then he drew near to it, and 
said, O Zacharias, Zacharias, thou hast occasioned the death of the chief of 
thy countrymen, shall I slay them all ? then the blood ceased, and did bubble 
no more." 

2 Luke, ii. 26. 

(38) 



The First Gospel of the INFANCY OF JESUS CHRIST. 

£Mr. Henry Sike, Professor of Oriential Languages at Cambridge, first trans- 
lated and published this Gospel in 1697. It was received by the Gnostics, 
a sect of Christians in the second century ; and several of its relations were 
credited in the following ages by other Christians, viz., Eusebius, Athana- 
sius, Epiphanius, Chrysostom, &c. Sozomon says, he was told by many, 
and he credits the relations, of the idols in Egypt falling down on Joseph, 
and Mary's flight thither with Christ ; and of Christ making a well to wash 
his clothes in a sycamore tree, from whence balsam afterwards proceeded. 
These stories are from this Gospel. Chemnitius, out of Stipulensis, who 
had it from Peter Martyr, Bishop of Alexandria, in the third century, says, 
that the place in Egypt where Christ was banished is now called Matarea, 
about ten miles beyond Cairo ; that the inhabitants constantly burn a lamp 
in remembrance of it ; and that there is a garden of trees yielding a balsam, 
which were planted by Christ when a boy. M. La Crosse cites a synod at 
Angamala, in the mountains of Malabar, A. D. 1599, which condemns this 
Gospel as commonly read by the Nestorians in that country. Ahmed Ibu 
Idris, a Mahometan divine, says, it was used by some Christians in common 
with the other four gospels ; and Ocobius de Castro mentions a Gospel of 
Thomas, which he says, he saw and had translated to him by an Armenian 
Archbishop at Amsterdam, that was read in very many churches of Asia 
and Africa, as the only rule of their faith. Fabricius takes it to be this Gos- 
pel. It has been supposed, that Mahomet and his coadjutors used it in 
compiling the Koran. There are several stories believed of Christ proceed- 
ing from this Gospel ; as that which Mr. Sike relates out of La Brosse's 
Persic Lexicon, that Christ practiced the trade of a dyer, and his working 
a miracle with the colors ; from whence the Persian dyers honor him as 
their patron, and call a dye-house the shop of Christ. Sir John Chardin 
mentions Persian legends concerning Christ's dispute with his schoolmaster 
about his A-B-C ; and his lengthening the cedar-board which Joseph sawed 
too short] 



CHAP. I. 

I Caiphas relates, that Jesus when in 
his cradle, informed his mother, 
that he was the Son of God, ^Joseph 
and Mary going to Bethlehem to be 
taxed, Mary' s tim,e of bringing 
forth arrives, and she goes into a 
cave. '^Joseph fetches in a Hebrew 
woman, the cave filled with great 
lights. II The infant born, ij cares 
the woman, 19 arrival of the shep- 
herds. 

THE following accounts we 
found in the book of Joseph 
the high-priest, called by some 
Caiphas : 

2 He relates, that Jesus spake 
even when he was in the cradle, 
and said to his mother: 

3 Mary, I am Jesus the son of 
God, that word, which thou didst 
bring forth according to the dec- 
laration of the angel Gabriel 
to thee, and my father hath sent 
me for the salvation of the world. 



4 T In the three hundred and 
ninth year of the sera of Alex- 
ander, Augustus published a 
decree that all persons should go 
to be taxed in their own country. 

5 Joseph therefore arose, and 
with Mary his spouse he went to 
Jerusalem, and then came to 
Bethlehem, that he and his fami- 
ly might be taxed in the city of 
his fathers. 

6 And when they came by the 
cave, Mary confessed to Joseph 
that her time of bringing forth 
was come, and she could not go 
on to the city, and said. Let us 
go into this cave. 

7 At that time the sun was 
very near going down. 

8 But Joseph hastened away, 
that he might fetch her a mid- 
wife ; and when he saw an old 
Hebrew woman who was of 



(39) 



Christ born and 



I. INFANCY. circumcised in the cave. 



Jerusalem, he said to her, Pray 
come hither, good woman, and 
go into that cave, and you will 
there see a woman just ready to 
bring forth. 

9 It was after sunset, when 
the old woman and Joseph with 
her reached the cave, and they 
both went into it. 

10 And behold, it was all 
filled with lights, greater than 
the light of lamps and candles, 
and greater than the light of the 
sun itself. 

1 1 The infant was then wrap- 
ped up in swaddling clothes, and 
sucking the breasts of his mother 
St. Mary. 

12 When they both saw this 
light, they were surprised ; the 
old woman asked St. Mary, Art 
thou the mother of this child ? 

13 St. Mary replied, She was. 

14 On which the old woman 
said, Thou art very different 
from all other women. 

15 St. Mary answered, As 
there is not any child like to my 
son, so neither is there any 
woman like to his mother. 

16 The old woman answered, 
and said, O my Lady, I am come 
hither that I may obtain an 
everlasting reward. 

17 Then our Lady St. Mary 
said to her. Lay thine hands 
upon the infant; which, when 
she had done, she became whole. 

1 8 And as she was going forth, 
she said. From henceforth, all 
the days of my life, I will attend 
upon and be a servant of this 
infant. 

19 After this, when the shep- 
herds came, and had made a fire, 
and they were exceedingly re- 
joicing, the heavenly host ap- 



peared to them, praising and 
adoring the supreme God. 

20 And as the shepherds were 
engaged in the same employment, 
the cave at that time seemed like 
a glorious temple, because both 
the tongues of angels and men 
united to adore and magnify 
God, on account of the birth of 
the Lord Christ. 

21 But when the old Hebrew 
woman saw all these evident 
miracles, she gave praises to 
God, and said, I thank thee, O 
God, thou God of Israel, for that 
mine eyes have seen the birth of 
the Saviour of the world. 

CHAP. II. 

I The child circumcised in the cave, 2 
and the old woman preserving his 
foreskin or navelstring in a box of 
spikenard, Mary afterwards annoints 
Christ with it. 5 Christ brought to 
the tem.pie ; 6 shines, 7 angels stand 
around hhn adoring. 8 Simeon 
praises Christ. 

AND when the time of his cir- 
cumcision was come : name- 
ly, the eighth day, on which the 
law commanded the child to be 
circumcised ; they circumcised 
him in the cave. 

2 And the old Hebrew woman 
took the foreskin (others say she 
took the navel-string), and pre- 
served it in an alabaster-box of 
old oil of spikenard. 

3 And she had a son who was 
a druggist, to whom she said, 
Take need thou sell not this ala- 
baster - box of spikenard - oint- 
ment, although thou shouldst be 
offered three hundred pence for it. 

4 Now this is that alabaster- 
box which Mary the sinner pro- 
cured, and poured forth the oint- 
ment out of it upon the head and 



(40) 



The ivise men worship I. INFANCY. ChrisVs swaddling cloth. 



the feet of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
and wiped them off with the 
hairs of her head. 

5 Then after ten days they 
brought him to Jerusalem, and 
on the fortieth day from his 
birth they presented him in the 
temple before the Lord, making 
the proper offerings for him, ac- 
cording to the requirement of 
the law of Moses: namely, that 
every male which opens the 
womb shall be called holy unto 
God. 

6 At that time old Simeon saw 
him shining as a pillar of light, 
when St. Mary the Virgin, his 
mother, carried him in her arms, 
and was filled with the greatest 
pleasure at the sight. 

7 And the angels stood around 
him, adoring him, as a king's 
guards stand around him. 

8 Then Simeon going near to 
St. Mary, and stretching forth his 
hands towards her, said to the 
Lord Christ, Now, O My Lord, 
thy servant shall depart in peace, 
according to thy word ; 

9 For mine eyes have seen 
thy mercy, which thou hast 
prepared for the salvation of all 
nations; a light to all people, 
and the glory of thy people 
Israel. 

10 Hannah the prophetess was 
also present, and drawing near, 
she gave praises to God, and 
celebrated the happiness of Mary. 

CHAP. III. 

I The wise men visit Christ. Mary 
gives them one of his swaddling 
clothes. 3 An angel appears to them 
in the form, of a star. 4 They return 
and m,ake a fire, and worship the 
swaddling cloth, and put it in the 
fire where it remained uncotisumed. 



AND it came to pass, when 
the Lord Jesus was born 
at Bethlehem, a city of Judaea, 
in the time of Herod the King; 
the wise men came from the East 
to Jerusalem, according to the 
prophecy of Zoradascht,* and 
brought with them offerings: 
namely, gold, frankincense, and 
myrrh, and worshipped him, and 
offered to him their gifts. 

2 Then the Lady Mary took 
one of his swaddling clothes in 
which the infant was wrapped, 
and gave it to them instead of a 
blessing, which they received 
from her as a most noble present. 

3 And at the same time there 
appeared to them an angel in 
the form of that star which had 
before been their guide in their 
journey ; the light of which the3 
followed till they returned into 
their own country. 

4 \ On their return their 
kings and princes came to them 
inquiring. What they had seen 
and done ? What sort of journey 
and return they had? What 
company they had on the road? 

5 But they produced the swad- 
dling cloth which St. Mary had 
given to them, on account where- 
of they kept a feast. 

6 And having, according to 
the custom of their ODuntry, 
made a fire, ^ory worshipped it. 

7 And casting the swaddling 
cloth into it, the fire took it, and 
kept it. 

8 And when the fire was put 
out, they took forth the swad- 
dling cloth unhurt, as much as 
if the fire had not touched it. 

9 Then they began to kiss it, 
and put it upon their heads and 

1 Zoroaster, 



(41) 



An Idol falls. Christ's I. INFANCY, swaddling cloth heals a boy. 



their eyes saying, This is cer- 
tainly an undoubted truth, and 
it is really surprising that the 
fire could not burn it, and con- 
sume it. 

ID Then they took it, and 
with the greatest respedl laid it 
up among their treasures. 

CHAP. IV. 

I Herod intends to put Christ to death. 
3 An angel warns Joseph to take 
the child and its mother to Egypt. 
Consternation on their arrival. 13 
The idols fall down. 15 Mary 
washes Christ's swaddling clothes, 
and hangs them to dry on a post. 
16 A son of the chief priest puts one 
on his head, and being possessed of 
devils, they leave him. 

NOW Herod perceiving that 
the wise men did delay, 
and not return to him, called to- 
gether the priests and wise men 
and said, Tell me in what place 
the Christ should be born ? 

2 And when they replied, in 
Bethlehem, a city of Judaea, he 
began to contrive in his own 
mind the death of the Lord Jesus 
Christ. 

3 But an angel of the Lord 
appeared to Joseph in his sleep, 
and said, Arise, take the child 
and his mother, and go into 
Egypt as soon as the cock crows. 
So he arose, and went. 

4 ^ And as he was consider- 
ing with himself about his jour- 
ney, the morning came upon him. 

5 In the length of the journey 
the girts of the saddle broke. 

6 And now he drew near to a 
great city, in which there was an 
idol, to which the other idols and 
gods of Egypt brought their 
offerings and vows. 

7 And there was by this idol 
a priest ministering to it, who, 



(42) 



as often as Satan spoke out of 
that idol, related the things he 
said to the inhabitants of Egypt, 
and those countries. 

8 This priest had a son three 
years old, who was possessed 
with a great multitude of devils, 
who uttered many strange things 
and when the devils seized him, 
walked about naked with his 
clothes torn, throwing stones at 
those whom he saw. 

9 Near to that idol was the inn 
of the city, into which when 
Joseph and St. Mary were come, 
and had turned into that inn, all 
the inhabitants of the city were 
astonished. 

10 And all the magistrates and 
priests of the idols assembled be- 
fore that idol, and made inquiry 
there, say ing, What means all this 
consternation, and dread, which 
has fallen upon all our country ? 

11 The idol answered them, 
The unknown God is come hith- 
er, who is truly God ; nor is there 
any one besides him, who is 
worthy of divine worship; for 
he is truly the Son of God. 

12 At the fame of him, this 
country trembled, and at his 
coming it is under the present 
commotion and consternation, 
and we ourselves are affrighted 
by the greatness of his power. 

13 And at the same instant 
this idol fell down, and at his 
fall all the inhabitants of Egypt, 
besides others, ran together. 

14 ^ But the son of the priest, 
when his usual disorder came 
upon him, going into the inn, 
found there Joseph and St. Mary, 
whom all the rest had left behind 
and forsook. 

15 And when the Lady St. 




.Adoration of Shepherds. 



Flight into Egypt. 



I. INFANCY. Maty cures a woman. 



Mary, had washed the swaddling 
clothes of the Lord Christ, and 
hanged tbem out to dry upon 
a post, the boy possessed with 
the devil took down one of them, 
and put it (ipcn his head. 

1 6 And presently the devils 
began to come out of his mouth, 
and fly away in the shape of 
crows and serpents. 

1 7 P'rom that time the boy was 
healed by the power of the Lord 
Christ, and he began to sing 
praises, and give thanks to the 
Lord who had healed him. 

1 8 When his father saw him 
restored to his former state of 
health, he said, My son, what has 
happened to thee, and by what 
means wert thou cured? 

19 The son answered, When 
the devil seized me, I went into 
the inn, and there found a very 
handsome woman with a boy, 
whose swaddling clothes she had 
just before washed, and hanged 
out upon a post. 

20 One of these I took, and put 
it upon my head, and immediately 
the devils left me, and fled away. 

21 At this the father exceed- 
ingly rejoiced, and said. My 
son, perhaps this boy is the son 
of the living God, who made the 
heavens and the earth. 

22 For as soon as he came 
amongst us, the idol was broken, 
and all the gods fell down and 
were destroyed by a greater 
power. 

23 Then was fulfilled the 
prophecy which saith. Out of 
Egypt I have called my son. 

CHAP. V. 
I Joseph and Mary leave E^ypt. 3 Go to 
the haunts of robbers, 4 Who, hearing 
a mighty noise as of a great army flee 
away* 

(43) 



NOW Joseph and Mary, when 
they heard that the idol was 
fallen down and destroyed, were 
seized with fear and trembling, 
and said. When we were in the 
land of Israel, Herod, intending 
to kill Jesus, slew for that pur- 
pose all the infants at Bethlehem, 
and that neighborhood. 

2 And there is no doubt but 
the Egyptians if they come to 
hear that this idol is broken and 
fallen down,will burn us with fire. 

3 They went therefore hence to 
the secret places of robbers, who 
robbed travelers as they pass by, 
of their carriages and their 
clothes, and carried them away 
bound. 

4 These thieves upon their 
coming heard a great noise, such 
as the noise of a king with a great 
army, and many horses, and the 
trumpets sounding, at his de- 
parture from his own city; at 
which they were so affrighted, 
as to leave all their booty behind 
them, and fly away in haste. 

5 Upon this the prisoner's 
arose, and loosed each other's 
bonds, and taking each man his 
bags, they went away, and saw 
Joseph and Mary coming towards 
them, and inquired,Where is that 
king, the noise of whose approach 
the robbers heard, and left us, so 
that we are now come off safe? 

6 Joseph answered. He will 
come after us. 

CHAP. VI. 

I Mary looks on a woman in whom 
Satan had taken up his abode, and 
she becomes dispossessed. 5 Christ 
kissed by a bride made dumb by 
sorcerers, cures her, 11 miraculous- 
ly cures a gentlewotnan in whom 
Satan had taken up his abode. 16 A 
leprous girl cured by the water in 
which he was washed^ and becomes 



Christ cures a dumb bride. I. INFANCY. The possessed woman. 



the servant of Joseph and Mary. 
20 The leprous son of a prince' s 
wife cured in Hke manner. 37 His 
mother offers large gifts to Mary, 
and dis7nisses her. 

THEN they went into another 
city where there was a wo- 
man possessed with a devil, and 
in whom Satan, that cursed rebel, 
had taken up his abode. 

2 One night, when she went 
to fetch water, she could neither 
endure her clothes on, nor to be 
in any house; but as often as 
they tied her with chains or 
cords, she brake them, and went 
out into desert places, and some- 
times standing where roads cross- 
ed, and in church-yards, would 
throw stones at men. 

3 When St. Mary saw this 
woman, she pitied her; where- 
upon Satan presently left her, 
and fled away in the form of a 
young man, saying, Woe to me, 
because of thee, Mary, and thy 
son. 

4 So the woman was delivered 
from her torment ; but consider- 
ing herself naked, she blushed, 
and avoided seeing any man, and 
having put on her clothes, went 
home, and gave an account of 
her case to her father and rela- 
tions, who, as they were the best 
of the city, entertained St. Mary 
and Joseph with the greatest re- 
spect. 

5 The next morning having 
received a sufficient supply of 
provisions for the road, they went 
from them, and about the even- 
ing of the day arrived at another 
town, where a marriage was then 
about to be solemnized ; but by 
the arts of Satan and the prac- 
tices of some sorcerers, the bride 
was become so dumb, that she 



could not so much as open her 
mouth. 

6 But when this dumb bride 
saw the Lady St. Mary entering 
into the town, and carrying the 
Lord Christ in her arms, she 
stretched out her hands to the 
Lord Christ, and took him in her 
arms, and closely hugging him, 
very often kissed him, continu- 
ally moving him and pressing 
him to her body. 

7 Straightway the string of 
her tongue was loosed, and her 
ears were opened, and she began 
to sing praises unto God, who 
had restored her. 

8 So there was great j oy among 
the inhabitants of the town that 
night, who thought that God and 
his angels were come down 
among them. 

9 ^ In this place they abode 
three days, meeting with the 
greatest respect and most splen- 
did entertainment. 

10 And being then furnished 
by the people with provisions 
for the road, they departed and 
went to another city, in which 
they were inclined to lodge, be- 
cause it was a famous place. 

11 There was in this city a 
gentlewoman, who, as she went 
down one day to the river to 
bathe, behold cursed Satan leaped 
upon her in the form of a ser- 
pent. 

12 And folded himself about 
her belly, and every uight lay 
upon her. 

13 This woman seeing the 
Lady St. Mary, and the Lord 
Christ the infant in her bosom, 
asked the Lady St. Mary, that 
she would give her the child to 
kiss, and carry in her arms. 



(44) 



two leprous persons^ and I. INFANCY. u Tiewly married man. 



14 When she had consented, 
and as soon as the woman had 
moved the child, Satan left her, 
and fled away, nor did the woman 
ever afterwards see him. 

15 Hereupon all the neighbors 
praised the Supreme God, and 
the woman rewarded them with 
ample beneficence. 

16 On the morrow the same 
woman brought perfumed water 
to wash the Lord Jesus; and 
when she had washed him, she 
preserved the water. 

1 7 And there was a girl there, 
whose body was white with a 
leprosy, who being sprinkled 
with this water, and washed, was 
instantly cleansed from her 
leprosy. 

18 The people therefore said, 
Without doubt Joseph and Mary, 
and that boy are Gods, for they 
do not look like mortals. 

19 And when they were mak- 
ing ready to go away, the girl, 
who had been troubled with the 
leprosy, came and desired they 
would permit her to go along 
with them; so they consented, 
and the girl went with them till 
they came to a city, in which was 
the palace of a great king, and 
whose house was not far from 
the inn. 

20 Here they staid, and when 
the girl went one day to the 
prince's wife, and found her in a 
sorrowful and mournful condi- 
tion, she asked her the reason of 
her tears. 

21 She replied. Wonder not at 
my groans, for I am under a 
great misfortune, of which I dare 
not tell any one. 

22 But, says the girl, if you 
will entrust me with your private 



(45) 



grievance, perhaps I may find 
you a remedy for it. 

23 Thou, therefore, says the 
prince's wife, shalt keep the se- 
cret, and not discover it to any 
one alive! 

24 I have been married to this 
prince, who rules as king over 
large dominions, and lived long 
with him, before he had any 
child by me. 

25 At length I conceived by 
him, but alas ! I brought forth a 
leprous son; which, when he 
saw, he would not own to be his, 
but said to me, 

26 Either do thou kill him, or 
send him to some nurse in such 
a place, that he may be never 
heard of; and now take care of 
yourself; I will never see you 
more. 

27 So here I pine, lamenting 
my wretched and miserable cir- 
cumstances. Alas, m}^ son ! alas, 
my husband ! Have I disclosed 
it to you ? 

28 The girl replied, I have 
found a remedy for your disease, 
which I promise you, for I also 
was leprous, but God hath 
cleansed me, even he who is 
called Jesus, the son of the Lady 
Mary. 

29 The woman inquiring, 
where that God was, whom she 
spake of; the girl answered. He 
lodges with you here in the same 
house. 

30 But how can this be ? says 
she ; where is he ? Behold, re- 
plied the girl, Joseph and Mary ; 
and the infant who is with them 
is called Jesus ; and it is he who 
delivered me from my disease 
and torment. 

31 But by what means, says 



A beTvitcked young man I. INFANCY. restored to kis shape. 



she, were you cleansed from your 
leprosy? Will you not tell me 
that? 

32 Why not ? says the girl ; I 
took the water with which his 
body had been washed, and 
poured it upon me, and my 
ieprosy vanished. 

33 The prince's wife then 
arose and entertained them, 
providing a great feast for Jo- 
seph among a large company of 
men. 

34 And the next day took 
perfumed water to wash the Lord 
Jesus, and afterwards poured the 
same water upon her son, whom 
she had brought with her, and 
her son was instantly cleansed 
from his leprosy. 

35 Then she sang thanks and 
praises unto God, and said. Bless- 
ed is the mother that bare thee, 

Jesus ! 

36 Dost thou thus cure men 
of the same nature with thyself, 
with the water with which thy 
body is washed? 

37 She then offered very large 
gifts to the Lady Mary, and sent 
her away with all imaginable 
respect. 

CHAP. VII. 

1 A man who could not enjoy his wife^ 
freed from his disorder. 5 A young 
man who had been bewitched, and 
turned into a mule, miraculously 
cured by Christ being put on his 
back, 28 and is married to the girl 
who had been cured of leprosy, 

THEY came afterwards to an- 
other city, and had a mind to 
lodge there. 

2 Accordingly they went to a 
man's house, who was newly 
married, but by the influence of 
sorcerers could not enjoy his 
wife: 



3 But they lodging at his 
house that night, the man was 
freed of his disorder ; 

4 And when they were pre- 
paring early in the morning to 
go forward on their journey, the 
new married person hindered 
them, and provided a noble en- 
tertainment for them ? 

5 But going forward on the 
morrow, they came to another 
city, and saw three women going 
from a certain grave with great 
weeping. 

6 When St. Mary saw them, 
she spake to the girl who was 
their companion, saying. Go and 
inquire of them, what is the mat- 
ter with them, and what misfor- 
tune has befallen them? 

7 When the girl asked them 
they made her no answer, but 
asked her again. Who are ye, 
and where are ye going ? For the 
day is far spent, and the night is 
at hand. 

8 We are travelers, saith the 
girl, and are seeking for an inn 
to lodge at. 

9 They replied. Go along with 
us, and lodge with us. 

10 They then followed them, 
and were introduced into a new 
house, well furnished with all 
sorts of furniture. 

11 It was now winter-time, 
and the girl went into the par- 
lor where these'women were, and 
found them weeping and lament- 
ing, as before. 

1 2 By them stood a mule, cov- 
ered over with silk, and an ebony 
collar hanging down from his 
neck, whom they kissed, and 
were feeding. 

13 But when the girl said, 
How handsome, ladies, that mule 



(46) 



A bewitched young man I. INFANCY. restored and married. 



is ! they replied with tears, and 
said, This mule, which you see, 
was our brother, born of this 
same mother as we; 

14 For when our father died, 
and left us a very large estate, 
and we had only this brother, 
and we endeavored to procure 
him a suitable match, and 
thought he should be married as 
other men, some giddy and jeal- 
ous woman bewitched him with- 
out our knowledge. 

15 And we, one night, a little 
before day, while the doors of 
the house were all fast shut, saw 
this our brother was changed 
into a mule, such as you now see 
him to be : 

16 And we, in the melancholy 
condition in which you see us, 
having no father to comfort us, 
have applied to all the wise men, 
magicians, and diviners in the 
world, but they have been of no 
service to us. 

17, As often therefore as we 
find ourselves oppressed with 
grief, we rise and go with this 
our mother to our father's tomb, 
where, when we have cried suf- 
ficiently we return home. 

18 When the girl had heard 
this, she said. Take courage, and 
cease your fears, for you have a 
remedy for your afflictions near 
at hand, even among you and in 
the midst of your house. 

19 For I was also leprous ; but 
when I saw this woman, and this 
little infant with her, whose 
name is Jesus, I sprinkled my 
body with the water with which 
his mother had washed him, and 
I was presently made well. 

20 And I am certain that he 
is also capable of relieving you 



under your distress. Wherefore, 
arise, go to my mistress Mary, 
and when you have brought her 
into your own parlor, disclose to 
her the secret, at the same time 
earnestly beseeching her to com- 
passionate your case. 

2 1 As soon as the women had 
heard the girl's discourse, they 
hastened away to the Lady St. 
Mary, introduced themselves to 
her, and sitting down before her, 
they wept. 

22 And said, O our Lady St. 
Mary, pity your handmaids, for 
we have no head of our family, 
no one elder than us ; no father 
or brother to go in and out be- 
fore us. 

23 But this mule, which you 
see, was our brother, which 
some women by witchcraft have 
brought into this condition which 
you see : we therefore entreat 
you to compassionate us. 

24 Hereupon St. Mary was 
grieved at their case, and taking 
the Lord Jesus, put hifn upon 
the back of the mule, 

25 And said to her son, O 
Jesus Christ, restore (or heal) 
according to thy extraordinary 
power this mule, and grant him 
to have again the shape of a man 
and a rational creature, as he 
had formerly. 

26 This was scarce said by the 
Lady St. Mary, but the mule 
immediately passed into a hu- 
man form, and became a young 
man without any deformity. 

27 Then he and his mother 
and the sisters worshiped the 
Lady St. Mary, and lifting the 
child upon their heads, they 
kissed him, and said. Blessed is 
thy mother, O Jesus, O Saviour 



(47) 



The two thieves. 



I. INFANCY. 



The sick healed. 



Blessed are the 
happy as to 



so 



of the world! 
eyes which are 
see thee. 

28 Then both the sisters told 
their mother, saying, Of a truth 
our brother is restored to his 
former shape by the help of the 
Lord Jesus Christ, and the kind- 
ness of that girl, who told us of 
Mary and her son. 

29 And inasmuch as our 
brother is unmarried, it is fit that 
we marry him to this girl their 
servant. 

30 When they had consulted 
Mary in this matter, and she had 
given her consent, they made a 
splendid wedding for this girl. 

31 And so their sorrow being 
turned into gladness, and their 
mourning into mirth, they began 
to rejoice, and to make merry, 
and sing, being dressed in their 
richest attire, with bracelets. 

32 Afterwards they glorified 
and praised God, saying, O Jesus 
son of David, who changest sor- 
row into gladness, and mourning 
into mirth ! 

33 After this Joseph and Mary 
tarried there ten days, then went 
away, having received great re- 
spect from those people ; 

34 Who, when they took their 
leave of them, and returned home, 
cried, 

35 But especially the girl. 

CHAP. VIII. 

I Joseph and Mary pass through a 
country infested by robbers. 3 Titus, 
a humane thief, offers Dumachus, 
his comrade, forty groats to let Jo- 
seph and Mary pass unmolested. 6 
Jesus prophesies that the thieves 
Dumachus and Titus shall be cruci- 
fied with him,, and that Titus shall 
go before him, into Paradise. 10 
Christ causes a well to spring from, 
a sycamore tree^ and Mary washes 



his coat in it. 11 A balsam grows 
there from, his sweat. They go to 
Memphis, where Christ works m,ore 
miracles. Return to Judcsa, 15 Be- 
ing warned, depart for Nazareth. 

IN their journey from hence 
they came into a desert coun- 
try, and were told it was infested 
with robbers ; so Joseph and St. 
Mary prepared to pass through 
it in the night. 

2 And as they were going 
along, behold they saw two rob- 
bers asleep in the road, and with 
them a great number of robbers, 
who were their confederates, also 
asleep. 

3 The names of these two were 
Titus and Dumachus ; and Titus 
said to Dumachus, I beseech 
thee let those persons go along 
quietly, that our company may 
not perceive anything of them : 

4 But Dumachus refusing, Ti- 
tus again said, I will give thee 
forty groats, and as a pledge take 
my girdle, which he gave him 
before he had done speaking, 
that he might not open his 
mouth, or make a noise. 

5 When the Lady St. Mary 
saw the kindness which this rob- 
ber did shew them, she said to 
him. The Lord God will receive 
thee to his right hand, and grant 
thee pardon of thy sins. 

6 Then the Lord Jesus an- 
swered, and said to his mother, 
When thirty years are expired, 
O mother, the Jews will crucify 
me at Jerusalem ; 

7 And these two thieves shall 
be with me at the same time 
upon the cross, Titus on my 
right hand, and Dumachus on 
my left, and from that time Titus 
shall go before me into paradise ; 

8 And when she had said, God 



C48) 



The sick healed. 



I. INFANCY. 



Christ s water cures. 



forbid this should be thy lot, O 
my son, they went on to a city, 
in which were several idols; 
which, as soon as they came 
near to it, was turned into hills 
of sand. 

9 If Hence they went to that 
sycamore tree, which is now 
called Matarea ; 

ID And in Matarea the Lord 
Jesus caused a well to spring 
forth, in which St. Mary washed 
his coat ; 

1 1 And a balsam is produced, 
or grows, in that country, from 
the sweat which ran down there 
from the Lord Jesus. 

12 Thence they proceeded to 
Memphis, and saw Pharoah, and 
abode three years in Egypt, 

13 And The Lord Jesus did 
very many miracles in Egypt, 
which are neither to be found in 
the Gospel of the Infancy nor 
in the Gospel of Perfection. 

14 \ At the end of three years 
he returned out of Egypt, and 
when he came near to Judaea, 
Joseph was afraid to enter ; 

15 For hearing that Herod 
was dead, and that Archelaus his 
son reigned in his stead, he was 
afraid ; 

16 And when he went to Ju- 
daea, an angel of God appeared 
to him, and said, O Joseph go 
into the city Nazareth, and abide 
there. 

17 It is strange indeed, that 

he, who is the Lord of all coun- 
tries, should be thus carried 
backward and forward through 
so many countries. 



WHEN they came afterwards 
into the city Bethlehem, 
they found there several very 
desperate distempers, which be- 
came so troublesome to children 
by seeing them, that most of 
them died. 

2 There was there a woman 



CHAP. IX. 

2 Two sick children cured by water 
wherein Christ was washed. 



who had a sick son, whom she 
brought, when he was at the 
point of death, to the Lady St. 
Mary, who saw her when she 
was washing Jesus Christ. 

3 Then said the woman, O my 
Lady Mary, look down upon 
this my son, who is afflicted with 
most dreadful pains. 

4 St. Mary hearing her, said. 
Take a little of that water with 
which I have washed my son, 
and sprinkle it upon him. 

5 Then she took a little of 
that water, as St. Mary had 
commanded, and sprinkled it 
upon her son, who being wearied 
with his violent pains, was fallen 
asleep ; and after he had slept a 
little, awaked perfectly well and 
recovered. 

6 The mother being abund- 
antly glad of this success, went 
again to St. Mary, and St. Mary 
said to her. Give praise to God, 
who hath cured this thy son. 

7 There was in the same place 
another woman, a neighbor of 
her, whose son was now cured. 

8 This woman's son was af- 
flicted with the same disease, and 
his eyes were now almost quite 
shut, and she was lamenting for 
him day and night. 

9 The mother of the child 
which was cured said to her, 
Why do you not bring your son 
to St. Mary, as I brought my son 
to her, when he was in the ago- 

(49) 



Caleb's miraculotis cures. I. INFANCY. Caleb's life twice saved. 



nies of death ; and he was cured 
by that water, with which the 
body of her son Jesus was 
washed ? 

ID When the woman heard 
her say this, she also went, and 
having procured the same water, 
washed her son with it, where- 
upon his body and his eyes were 
instantly restored to their former 
state. 

1 1 And when she brought her 
son to St. Mary, and opened his 
case to her, she commanded her 
to give thanks to God for the 
recovery of her son's health, and 
tell no one what had happened. 

CHAP. X. 
I Two wives of one man, each have a 
son sick. 2 One of them, named 
Maty, and whose soft's name was 
Caleb, presents the Virgin^ with a 
handsome carpet, and Caleb is cured; 
but the son of the other wife dies, 4 
which occasions a difference between 
the women. 5 The other wife^ puts 
Caleb into a hot oven, and he is mi- 
raculously preserved, 9 she after- 
wards throws him into a well, and 
he is again preserved ; 11 his mother 
appeals to the Virgin against the 
other wife, 12 whose downfall the 
Virgin prophesies, 13 and who ac- 
cordingly falls into the well, 14 
therein fulfilling a saying of old. 

THERE were in the same city 
two wives of one man, who 
had each a son sick. One of 
them was called Mary, and her 
son's name was Caleb. 

2 She arose, and taking her 
son, went to the Lady St. Mary, 
the mother of Jesus, and offered 
her a very handsome carpet, say- 
ing, O my Lady Mary accept this 
carpet of me, and instead of it 
give me a small swaddling cloth. 

3 To this Mary agreed, and 
when the mother of Caleb was 
gone, she made a coat for her 



son of the swaddling cloth, put 
it on him, and his disease was 
cured ; but the son of the other 
wife died. 

4 \ Hereupon there arose be- 
tween them a difference in doing 
the business of the family by 
turns, each her week ; 

5 And when the turn of Mary 
the mother of Caleb came, and 
she was heating the oven to 
bake bread, and went away to 
fetch the meal, she left her son 
Caleb by the oven ; 

6 Whom, the other wife, her 
rival, seeing to be by himself, 
took and cast him into the oven, 
which was very hot, and theo 
went away. 

7 Mary on her return saw hef 
son Caleb lying in the middle of 
the oven laughing, and the oven 
quite as cold as though it had not 
been before heated, and knew 
that her rival the other wife had 
thrown him into the fire. 

8 When she took him out, she 
brought him to the Lady St. 
Mary, and told her the stopr, to 
whom she replied, Be quiet, I 
am concerned lest thou shouldest 
make this matter known. 

9 After this her rival, the other 
wife, as she was drawing water 
at the well, and saw Caleb play- 
ing by the well, and that no one 
was near, took him, and threw 
him into the well. 

10 And when some men came 
to fetch water from the well they 
saw the boy sitting on the super- 
ficies of the water, and drew him 
out with ropes, and were exceed- 
ingly surprised at the child, and 
praised God. 

1 1 Then came the mother and 
took him and carried him to the 



(50) 




Repose in Egypt 




Vifirlfi and Child, 



Infant Bartholomew cured. I. INFANCY. Leprous woman healed^ 



Lady St. Mary, lamenting and 
saying, O my Lady, see what 
my rival hath done to my son, 
and how she hath cast him into 
the well, and I do not question 
but one time or other she will be 
the occasion of his death. 

12 St. Mary replied to her, 
God will vindicate your injured 
cause. 

13 Accordingly a few days 
after, when the other wife came 
to the well to draw water, her 
foot was entangled in the rope, 
so that she fell headlong into the 
well, and they who ran to her 
assistance found her skull bro- 
ken, and the bones bruised. 

14 So she came to a bad end, 
and in her was fulfilled that say- 
ing of the author, They digged 
a well, and made it deep, but fell 
themselves into the pit which 
they prepared. 

CHAP. XL 

I Bartholomew^ when a child and sick ^ 
miraculously restored by being laid 
on Christ's bed. 

ANOTHER woman in that 
city, had likewise two sons 
sick. 

2 And when one was dead, the 
other, who lay at the point of 
death, she took in her arms to the 
Lady St. Mary, and in a flood of 
tears addressed herself to her 
saying. 

3 O my Lady, help and relieve 
me; for I had two sons, the one 
I have just now buried, the other 
I see is just at the point of death : 
behold how I (earnestly) seek 
favor from God, and pray to 
him. 

4 Then she said, O Lord, thou 
art gracious, and merciful, and 



kind; thou hast given me two 
sons; one of them thou hast 
taken to thyself, O spare me this 
other. 

5 St. Mary then perceiving 
the greatness of her sorrow, 
pitied her and said. Do thou place 
thy son in my son's bed, and 
cover him with his clothes. 

6 And when she had placed 
him in the bed wherein Christ 
lay, at the moment when his 
eyes were just closed by death; 
as soon as ever the smell of the 
garments of the Lord Jesus 
Christ reached the boy, his eyes 
were opened, and calling with a 
loud voice to his mother he asked 
for bread, and when he had re- 
ceived it, he sucked it. 

7 Then his mother said, O 
Lady Mary, now I am assured 
that the powers of God do dwell 
in you, so that thy son can cure 
children who are of the same 
sort as himself, as soon as they 
touch his garments. 

8 This boy, who was thus 
cured, is the same who in the 
Gospel is called Bartholomew. 

CHAP. XII. 

I A leprous woman healed by Christ 5 
washing water. 7 A princess healed 
by it and restored to her husband. 

AGAIN, there was a leprous 
woman who went to the 
Lady St. Mary, the mother of 
Jesus, and said, O my Lady, help 
me. 

2 St. Mary replied, What help 
dost thou desire? Is it gold or 
silver, or that thy body be cured 
of its leprosy ? 

3 Who, says the woman, can 
grant me this? 

4 St. Mary replied to her, Wait 



(51) 



Leprous princess cured by I. INFANCY. Christ's washing water. 



a little till I have washed my 
son Jesus, and put him to bed. 

5 The woman waited, as she 
was commanded; and Mary 
when she had put Jesus in bed, 
giving her the water with which 
she had washed his body, said, 
Take some of the water, and 
pour it upon thy body ; 

6 Which when she had done, 
she instantly became clean, and 
praised God, and gave thanks to 
him. 

7 \ Then she went away, after 
she had abode with her three 
days; 

8 And going into the city, she 
saw a certain prince, who had 
married another prince's daugh- 
ter; 

9 But when he came to see her, 
he perceived between her eyes 
the signs of leprosy like a star, 
and thereupon declared the mar- 
riage dissolved and void. 

10 When the woman saw these 
persons in this condition, ex- 
ceeding sorrowful, and shedding 
abundance of tears, she inquired 
of them the reason of their crying, 

11 They replied, Inquire not 
into our circumstances; for we 
are not able to declare our mis- 
fortunes to any person whatso- 
ever. 

12 But she still pressed and 
desired them to communicate 
their case to her; intimating, 
that perhaps she might be able 
to direct them to a remedy. 

13 So when they shewed the 
young woman to her, and the 
signs of the leprosy, which ap- 
peared between her eyes, 

14 She said, I also, whom ye 
see in this place, was afflicted 
with the same distemper, and 



(52) 



going on some business to Beth- 
lehem, I went into a certain cave, 
and saw a woman named Mary, 
who had a son called Jesus. 

15 She seeing me to be leprous, 
was concerned for me, and gave 
me some water with which she 
had washed her son's body ; with 
that I sprinkled my body, and 
became clean. 

16 Then said these women, 
Will you. Mistress, go along with 
us, and shew the Lady St. Mary 
to us? 

17 To which she consenting, 
they arose and went to the Lady 
St. Mary, taking with them very 
noble presents. 

18 And when they came in 
and offered their presents to her, 
they vShowed the leprous young 
woman whom they brought with 
them to her. 

19 Then said St. Mary, The 
mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ 
rest upon you ; 

20 And giving them a little of 
that water, with which she had 
washed the body of Jesus Christ, 
she bade them wash the diseased 
person with it ; which when they 
had done, she was presently 
cured ; 

21 So they, and all who were 
present, praised God ; and being 
filled with joy, they went back 
to their own city, and gave praises 
to God on that account. 

22 Then the prince hearing 
that his wife was cured, took her 
home and made a second mar- 
riage, giving thanks unto God 
for the recovery of his wife's 
health. 

CHAP. XIIL 
I A girl whose blood Satan^ sucked 
receives one of Christ's swaddling 
clothes from the Virgin, 14 Satan 



Girl whose blood 



I. INFANCY. 



Satan sticked^ cured. 



comes like a dragon, and she shews 
it to him ; flatnes and burning coals 
proceed from it and fall upon him ; 
1^ he is fniracnlously discomfited 
and leaves the girl. 

THERE was also a girl, who 
was afflicted by Satan. 

2 For that cursed spirit did 
frequently appear to her in the 
shape of a dragon, and was in- 
clined to swallow her up, and 
had so sucked out all her blood, 
that she looked like a dead car- 
cass. 

3 As often as she came to her- 
self, with her hands wringed 
about her head she would cry 
out, and say, Woe, Woe is me, 
that there is no one to be found, 
who can deliver me from that 
impious dragon ! 

4 Her father and mother, and 
all who were about her and saw 
her, mourned and wept over her ; 

5 And all who were present 
would especially be under sorrow 
and in tears, when they heard 
her bewailing, and saying, My 
brethren and friends, is there no 
one who can deliver me from 
this murderer ? 

6 Then the prince's daughter, 
who had been cured of her lepro- 
sy, hearing the complaint of that 
girl, went upon the top of her 
castle, and saw her with her 
hands twisted about her head, 
pouring out a flood of tears, and 
all the people that were about 
her in sorrow. 

7 Then she asked the husband 
of the possessed person. Whether 
his wife's mother was alive ? He 
told her. That her father and 
mother were both alive. 

8 Then she ordered her mother 
to be sent to her ; to whom, when 
she saw her coming, she said, Is 



this possessed girl thy daughter ? 
She moaning and bewailing said, 
Yes, madam, I bore her. 

9 The prince's daughter an- 
swered, Disclose the secret of her 
case to me, for I confess to you 
that I was leprous, but the Lady 
Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, 
healed me. 

10 And if you desire your 
daughter to be restored to her 
former state, take her to Bethle- 
hem, and enquire for Mary the 
mother of Jesus, and doubt not 
but your daughter will be cured ; 
for I do not question but you 
will come home with great joy 
at your daughter's recovery. 

11 As soon as ever she had 
done speaking, she arose and 
went with her daughter to the 
place appointed, and to Mary and 
told her the case of her daugh- 
ter. 

12 When St. Mary had heard 
her story, she gave her a little 
of the water with which she had 
washed the body of her son 
Jesus, and bade her pour it upon 
the body of her daughter. 

13 Likewise she gave her one 
of the swaddling cloths of the 
Lord Jesus, and said. Take this 
swaddling cloth, and shew it to 
thine enemy as often as thou 
seest him; and she sent them 
away in peace. 

14 T After they had left that 
city and returned home, and the 
time was come in which Satan 
was wont to seize her, in the 
same moment this cursed spirit 
appeared to her in the shape of 
a huge dragon, and the girl see- 
ing him was afraid. 

15 The mother said to her. Be 
not afraid, daughter; let him 



(53) 



SaUm Slicked, cured. I. INFANCY. festis siruck by Judas, 



alone till he come nearer to thee ! 
then shew him the swaddling 
cloth, which the Lady Mary gave 
us, and we shall see the event. 

1 6 Satan then coming like a 
dreadful dragon, the body of the 
girl trembled for fear. 

17 But as soon as she had put 
the swaddling cloth upon her 
head, and about her eyes, and 
shewed it to him, presently there 
issued forth from the swaddling 
cloth flames and burning coals, 
and fell upon the dragon. 

18 Oh! how great a miracle 
was this, which was done: as 
soon as the dragon saw the swad- 
dling cloth of the Lord Jesus, 
fire went forth and was scattered 
upon his head and eyes ; so that 
he cried out with a loud voice, 
What have I to do with thee, 
Jesus, thou son of Mary ? Whither 
shall I flee from thee ? 

19 So he drew back much af- 
frighted, and left the girl. 

20 And she was delivered from 
this trouble, and sang praises 
and thanks to God, and with her 
all who were present at the work- 
ing of the miracle. 

CHAP. XIV. 
I Judas when a boy possessed by Satan, 
and brought by his parents to Jesus 
to be curedy whofn he tries to bite, 7 
but failing, strikes Jesus and makes 
hint cry out. Whereupon Satan goes 
front Jesus in the shape of a dog. 

ANOTHER woman likewise 
lived there, whose son was 
possessed by Satan. 

2 This boy, named Judas, as 
often as Satan seized him, was 
inclined to bite all that were 
present ; and if he found no one 
else near him, he would bite his 
own hands and other parts. 

3 But the mother of this mis- 



erable boy, hearing of St. Mary 
and her son Jesus, arose presently 
and taking her son in her arms, 
brought him to the Lady Mary. 

4 In the meantime, James and 
Joses had taken away the infant, 
the Lord Jesus, to play at a 
proper season with other chil- 
dren ; and when they went forth, 
they sat down and the Lord 
Jesus with them. 

5 Then Judas, who was pos- 
sessed, came and sat down at the 
right hand of Jesus. 

6 When Satan was acting upon 
him as usual, he went about to 
bite the Lord Jesus. 

7 And because he could not 
do it, he struck Jesus on the right 
side, so that he cried out. 

8 And in the same moment 
Satan went out of the boy, and 
ran away like a mad dog. 

9 This same boy who struck 
Jesus, and out of whom Satan 
went in the form of a dog, was 
Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him 
to the Jews. 

10 And that same side, on 
which Judas struck him, the 
Jews pierced with a spear. 

CHAP. XV. 

I Jesus and other boys play together, 
and make clay figures of animals. 4 
Jesus causes them to walk, 6 also 
makes clay birds, which he causes to 
fly, and eat and drink. 7 the chil- 
dren's parents alarmed, and take 
Jesus for a sorcerer. 8 he goes to a 
dyer's shop, and throws all the cloths 
into the furnace, and works a miracle 
therewith. 15 Whereupon the Jews 
praise God. 

AND when the Lord Jesus was 
seven years of age, he was 
on a certain day with other boys 
his companions about the same 
age. 



(54) 



AnimaUs clay figures. I. INFANCY. Christ miracuhusfy alters. 



2 Who when they were at play, 
made clay into several shapes, 
namely, asses, oxen, birds, and 
other figures. 

3 Each boasting of his work, 
and endeavoring to exceed the 
rest. 

4 Then the Lord Jesus said to 
the boys, I will command these 
figures which I have made to 
walk. 

5 And immediately they mov- 
ed, and when he commanded them 
to return, they returned. 

6 He had also made the fig- 
ures of birds and sparrows, which, 
when he commanded to fly, did 
fly, and when he commanded to 
stand still, did stand still ; and if 
he gave them meat and drink, 
they did eat and drink. 

7 When at length the boys 
went away, and related these 
things to their parents, their 
fathers said to them. Take heed, 
children, for the future, of his 
company, for he is a sorcerer; 
shun and avoid him, and from 
henceforth never play with him. 

8 ^ On a certain day also, 
when the Lord Jesus was play- 
ing with the boys, and running 
about, he passed by a dyer's 
shop, whose name was Salem. 

9 And there were in his shop 
many pieces of cloth belonging 
to the people of that city, which 
they designed to dye of several 
colors. 

ID Then the Lord Jesus going 
into the dyer's shop, took all the 
cloths, and threw them into the 
furnace. 

II When Salem came home, 
and saw the cloths spoiled, he be- 
gan to make a great noise, and 
to chide the Lord Jesus, saying, 



12 What hast thou done to 
me, O thou son of Mary ? Thou 
hast injured both me and my 
neighbors ; they all desired their 
cloths of a proper color ; but 
thou hast come and spoiled them 
all. 

13 The Lord Jesus replied, I 
will change the color of every 
cloth to what color thou desirest ; 

14 And then he presently be- 
gan to take the cloths out of the 
furnace, and they were all dyed 
of those same colors which the 
dyer desired. 

15 And when the Jews saw 
this surprising miracle, they 
praised God. 

CHAP. XVI. 

I Christ miraculously widens or con- 
tracts the gates^ tnilk-pailSy sieves^ 
or boxes y not properly made by Jo- 
seph, 4 he not being skillful at his 
carpenter's trade. 5 The King of 
Jerusalem, gives Joseph an order for 
a throne. 6 Joseph works on it for 
two years in the king's palace, and 
makes it two spans too short. The 
king being angry with him, 10 Jesus 
comforts him, 13 commands him to 
pull one side of the throne, while he 
pulls the other, and brings it to its 
proper dimensions. 14 Whereupon 
the bystanders praise God. 
ND Joseph, wheresoever he 
went in the city, took the 
Lord Jesus with him, where he 
was sent for to work to make 
gates, or milk-pails, or sieves, or 
boxes ; the Lord Jesus was with 
him, wheresoever he went 

2 And as often as Joseph had 
anything in his work, to make 
longer or shorter, or wider, or 
narrower, the Lord Jesus would 
stretch his hand towards it. 

3 And presently it became as 
Joseph would have it. 

4 So that he had no need to 
finish anything with his own 



A 



(55) 



Joseph's bad carpentry, I. INFANCY. Chrisfs miracles at play. 



hands, for he was not very skill- 
ful at his carpenter's trade. 

5 \ On a certain time the 
king of Jerusalem sent for him, 
and said, I would have thee make 
me a throne of the same dimen- 
sions with that place in which I 
commonly sit. 

6 Joseph obeyed, and forth- 
with began the work, and con- 
tinued two years in the king's 
palace before he finished it. 

7 And when he came to fix it 
in its place, he found it wanted 
two spans on each side of the 
appointed measure. 

8 Which, when the king saw, 
he was very angry with Joseph ; 

9 And Joseph fearing the king's 
anger, went to bed without his 
supper, taking not anything to eat 

10 Then the Lord Jesus asked 
him, What he was afraid of? 

11 Joseph replied, Because I 
have lost my labor in the work 
which I have been about these 
two years. 

12 Jesus said to him, Fear not, 
neither be cast down ; 

13 Do thou lay hold on one 
side of the throne, and I will the 
other, and we will bring it to its 
just dimensions. 

14 And when Joseph had done 
as the Lord Jesus said, and each 
of them had with strength drawn 
his side, the throne obeyed, and 
was brought to the proper dimen- 
sions of the place : 

15 Which miracle when they 
who stood by saw, they were 
astonished, and praised God. 

16 The throne was made of 
the same wood, which was in 
being in Solomon's time, name- 
ly, wood adorned with various 
shapes and figures. 



(56) 



CHAP. XVII. 

I Jesiis plays with boys at hide and 
seek. 3 Some women put his play- 
fellows in a furnace, 7 where they are 
transformed by Jesus into kids. 10 
Jesus calls them, to go and play, and 
they are restored to their former 
shape. 

ON another day the Lord 
Jesus going out into the 
street, and seeing some boys who 
were met to play, joined himself 
to their company. 

2 But when they saw him, they 
hid themselves, and left him to 
seek for them ; 

3 The Lord Jesus came to the 
gate of a certain house, and 
asked some women who were 
standing there, Where the boys 
were gone? 

4 And when they answered, 
That there was no one there; 
the Lord Jesus said. Who are 
those whom ye see in the fur- 
nace? 

5 They answered, They were 
kids of three years old. 

6 Then Jesus cried out aloud, 
and said. Come out hither, O ye 
kids, to your shepherd; 

7 And presently the boys 
came forth like kids, and leaped 
about him; which, when the 
women saw, they were exceed- 
ingly amazed, and trembled. 

8 Then they immediately wor- 
shiped the Lord Jesus and be- 
seeched him, saying, O our Lord 
Jesus, son of Mary, thou art 
truly that good shepherd of 
Israel ! have mercy on thy hand- 
maids, who stand before thee, 
who do not doubt, but that thou, 
O Lord, art come to save, and 
not to destroy. 

9 After that, when the Lord 
Jesus said, the children of Israel 



Boy poisoTud 



I. INFANCY. 



by a serpent. 



are like Ethiopians among the 
people; the women said, Thou, 
Lord, knowest all things, nor is 
anything concealed from thee: 
but now we entreat thee, and be- 
seech of thy mercy, that thou 
wouldest restore those boys to 
their former shape. 

ID Then Jesus said. Come hith- 
er O boys, that we may go and 
play; and immediately, in the 
presence of these women, the 
kids were changed, and returned 
into the shape of boys. 

CHAP. XVIII. 

I Jesus becomes the king of his play- 
fellows^ and they crown him with 
flowers^ 4 miraculously causes a 
serpent who had bitten Sitnon the 
Canaanite, then a boy^ to suck out all 
the poison again; i6 the serpetit 
bursts, and Christ restores the boy 
to health. 

IN the month Adar, Jesus gath- 
ered together the boys, and 
ranked them as though he had 
been a king. 

2 For they spread their gar- 
ments on the ground for him to 
sit on ; and having made a crown 
of flowers, put it upon his head, 
and stood on his right and left 
as the guards of a king ; 

3 And if any one happened to 
pass by, they took him by force, 
and said, Come hither, and wor- 
ship the king, that you may have 
a prosperous journey. 

4 *|[ In the meantime, while 
these things were doing, there 
came certain men, carrying a 
boy upon a couch ; 

5 For this boy having gone 
with his companions to the 
mountain to gather wood, and 
having found there a partridge's 
nest, and put his hand in to take 
out the eggs, was stung by a 



(57) 



poisonous serpent, which leaped 
out of the nest ; so that he was 
forced to cry out for the help of 
his companions ; who, when they 
came, found him lying upon the 
earth like a dead person. 

6 After which his neighbors 
came and carried him back into 
the city. 

7 But when they came to the 
place where the Lord Jesus was 
sitting like a king, and the other 
boys stood around him like his 
ministers, the boys made haste 
to meet him who was bitien by 
the serpent, and said to his 
neighbors, Come and pay your 
respects to the king ; 

8 But when, by reason of their 
sorrow, they refused to come, 
the boys drew them, and forced 
them against their wills to come. 

9 And when they came to the 
Lord Jesus, he inquired. On what 
account they carried that boy ? 

10 And when they answered, 
that a serpent had bitten him, 
the Lord Jesus said to the boys, 
Let us go and kill that serpent. 

11 But when the parents of 
the boy desired to be excused, 
because their son lay at the point 
of death ; the boys made answer, 
and said. Did not ye hear what 
the king said? Let us go and 
kill the serpent ; and will not ye 
obey him? 

12 So they brought the couch 
back again, whether they would 
or not. 

13 And when they were come 
to the nest, the Lord Jesus said 
to the boys. Is this the serpent's 
lurking place? They said, it 
was. 

14 Then the Lord Jesus call- 
ing the serpent, it presently came 



Christ at play. 



I. INFANCY. Makes a dead boy speak ^ 



forth and submitted to him ; to 
whom he said, Go and suck out 
all the poison which thou hast 
infused into that boy : 

15 So the serpent crept to the 
boy, and took away all its poison 
again. 

16 Then the Lord Jesus cursed 
the serpent so that it immedi- 
ately burst asunder, and died ; 

17 And he touched the boy 
with his hand to restore him to 
his former health ; 

18 And when he began to cry, 
the Lord Jesus said, Cease cry- 
ing, for hereafter thou shalt be 
my disciple; 

19 And this is that Simon the 
Canaanite, who is mentioned in 
the Gospel. 

CHAP. XIX. 

I James being bitten by a viper ^ Jesus 
blows on the wound and cures him. 
4 Jesus charged with throiving a boy 
from the roof of a house. 10 miracu- 
lously causes the dead boy to acquit 
him^ \2 fetches water for his mother , 
breaks the pitcher and miraculously 
gathers the water in his m,antle and 
brings it homey 16 makes fish-pools 
on the sabbath, 20 causes a boy to die 
who broke them, down, 22 another 
boy runs against him^ whom he also 
causes to die* 

ON another day Joseph sent 
his son James to gather 
wood and the Lord Jesus went 
with him; 

2 And when they came to the 
place where the wood was, and 
James began to gather it, behold, 
a venomous viper bit him, so that 
he began to cry, and make a 
noise. 

3 The Lord Jesus seeing him 
in this condition, came to him, 
and blowed upon the place where 
the viper had bit him, and it was 
instantly well. 



4 T[ On a certain day the Lord 
Jesus was with some boys, who 
were playing on the house-top, 
and one of the boys fell down, 
and presently died. 

5 Upon which, the other boys 
all running away, the Lord Jesus 
was left alone on the house-top. 

6 And the boy's relations came 
to him and said to the Lord Je- 
sus, Thou didst throw our son 
down from the house-top. 

7 But he denying it, they cried 
out, Our son is dead, and this is 
he who killed him. 

8 The Lord Jesus replied to 
them, Do not charge me with a 
crime, of which you are not able 
to convict me, but let us go ask 
the boy himself, who will bring 
the truth to light. 

9 Then the Lord Jesus going 
down stood over the head of the 
dead boy, and said with a loud 
voice, Zeinunus, Zeinunus, who 
threw thee down from the house- 
top? 

10 Then the dead boy an- 
swered, thou didst not throw me 
down, but such a one did. 

1 1 And when the Lord Jesus 
bade those who stood by to take 
notice of his words, all who were 
present praised God on account 
of that miracle. 

12 T[ On a certain time the 
Lady St. Mary had commanded 
the Lord Jesus to fetch her some 
water out of the well ; 

13 And when he had gone to 
fetch the water, the pitcher, when 
it was brought up full, brake ; 

14 But Jesus spreading his 
mantle gathered up the water 
again, and brought it in that to 
his mother ; 

15 Who, being astonished at 



(58) 



Gathers spilt water. I. INFANCY. 



Kills a playfellow. 



this wonderful thing laid up this, 
and all the other things which 
she had seen, in her memory. 

1 6 ^ Again on another day the 
Lord Jesus was with some boys 
by a river, and they drew water 
out of the river by little chan- 
nels, and made little fish pools. 

17 But the Lord Jesus had 
made twelve sparrows, and placed 
them about his pool on each 
side, three on a side. 

1 8 But it was the Sabbath day, 
and the son of Hanani a Jew 
came by, and saw them making 
these things, and said, Do ye 
thus make figures of clay on the 
Sabbath ? And he ran to them, 
and broke down their fish-pools. 

19 But when the Lord Jesus 
clapped his hands over the spar- 
rows which he had made, they 
fled away chirping. 

20 At length the son of Han- 
ani coming to the fish-pool of 
Jesus to destroy it, the water 
vanished away, and the Lord 
Jesus said to him, 

21 In like manner as this 
water has vanished, so shall thy 
life vanish; and presently the 
boy died. 

22 ^ Another time, when the 
Lord Jesus was coming home in 
the evening with Joseph, he met 
a boy, who ran so hard against 
him, that he threw him down ; 

23 To whom the Lord Jesus 
said, As thou hast thrown me 
down, so Shalt thou fall, nor ever 
rise. 

24 And that moment the boy 
fell down and died. 

CHAP. XX. 

4 Sent to school to Zaccheus to learn 
his letters^ and teaches Zaccheus. 13 
Sent to another schoolmaster ^ 14 



(59) 



I refuses to tell his letters, and the 
schoolmaster going to whip him his 
hand withers and he dies. 

THERE was also at Jerusalem 
one named Zaccheus, who 
was a schoolmaster: 

2 And he said to Joseph, Jo- 
seph, why dost thou not send 
Jesus to me, that he may learn 
his letters ? 

3 Joseph agreed, and told St. 
Mary; 

4 So they brought him to that 
master ; who, as soon as he saw 
him, wrote out an alphabet for 
him, 

5 And he bade him say Aleph ; 
and when he had said Aleph, the 
master bade him pronounce Beth. 

6 Then the Lord Jesus said to 
him, Tell me first the meaning 
of the letter Aleph^ and then I 
will pronounce Beth ; 

7 And when the master threat- 
ened to whip him, the Lord 
Jesus explained to him the mean- 
ing of the letters Aleph and 
Beth; 

8 Also which were the straight 
figures of the letters, which the 
oblique, and what letters had 
double figures ; which had points, 
and which had none; why one 
letter went before another; and 
many other things he began to 
tell him, and explain, of which 
the master himself had never 
heard, nor read in any book. 

9 The Lord Jesus farther said 
to the master. Take notice how 
I say to thee; then he began 
clearly and distinctly to say 
Aleph, Beth, Gimel, Daleth, and 
so on to the end of the alphabet. 

10 At this the master was so 
surprised, that he said, I believe 
this boy was born before Noah; 



KUls his schoolmaster. I. INFANCY. Disputes with the doctors. 



1 1 And turning to Joseph, he 
said, Thou hast brought a boy 
to me to be taught, who is more 
learned than any master. 

12 He said also to St. Mary, 
This your son has no need of 
any learning. 

13 Tf They brought him then 
to a more learned master, who, 
when he saw him, said, say 
Aleph. 

14 And when he had said 
Aleph, the master bade him pro- 
nounce Beth ; to which the Lord 
Jesus replied, Tell me first the 
meaning of the letter Aleph, and 
then I will pronounce Beth. 

15 But this master, when he 
lifted up his hand to whip him, 
had his hand presently withered, 
and he died. 

16 Then said Joseph to St. 
Mary. Henceforth we will not 
allow him to go out of the house ; 
for every one who displeases 
him is killed. 

CHAP. XXI. 

I Disputes miraculously with the doc- 
tors in the temple^ 7 on law, 9 on 
astronomy, 12 on physics and meta- 
physics. 21 Is worshipped by a 
philosopher, 28 and fetched hom^e by 
his mother. 

AND when he was twelve years 
old, they brought him to 
Jerusalem to the feast ; and when 
the feast was over, they returned. 

2 But the Lord Jesus con- 
tinued behind in the temple 
among the doctors and elders, 
and learned men of Israel; to 
whom he proposed several ques- 
tions of learning, and also gave 
them answers: 

3 For he said to them. Whose 
son is the Messiah? They an- 
swered, the son of David : 

4 Why then, said he, does he 



in the spirit call him Lord ? when 
he saith, The Lord said to my 
Lord, sit thou at my right hand, 
till I have made thine enemies 
thy footstool. 

5 Then a certain principal 
Rabbi asked him. Hast thou 
read books? 

6 Jesus answered, he had read 
both books, and the things which 
were contained in books. 

7 And he explained to them 
the books of the law, and pre- 
cepts, and vStatutes : and the mys- 
teries which are contained in the 
books of the prophets; things 
which the mind of no creature 
could reach. 

8 Then said that Rabbi, I 
never 3^et have seen or heard of 
such knowledge ! What do you 
think that boy will be ? 

9 \ When a certain astrono- 
mer, who was present, asked the 
Lord Jesus, Whether he had 
studied astronomy? 

10 The Lord Jesus replied, 
and told him the number of the 
spheres and heavenly bodies, as 
also their triangular, square, and 
sextile aspect ; their progressive 
and retrograde motion; their 
size and several prognostications, 
and other things which the rea- 
son of man had never discovered. 

11 T There was also among 
them a philosopher well skilled 
in physic and natural philoso- 
phy, who asked the Lord Jesus, 
whether he had studied ph5^sic? 

12 He replied, and explained 
to him physics and metaphysics. 

13 Also those things which 
were above and below the power 
of nature. 

14 The powers also of the body, 
its humors, and their effects. 



(60) 



and confounds them. 



I. INFANCY. 



Is baptized. 



its 



15 Also the number of 
members, and bones, veins, ar- 
teries, and nerves : 

16 The several constitutions 
of body, hot and dry, cold and 
moist, and the tendencies of 
them ; 

1 7 How the soul operated upon 
the body ; 

1 8 What its various sensations 
and faculties were ; 

19 The faculty of speaking, 
anger, desire; 

20 And lastly the manner of 
its composition and dissolution ; 
and other things, which the un- 
derstanding of no creature had 
ever reached. 

21 Then that philosopher 
arose, and worshiped the Lord 
Jesus, and said, O Lord Jesus, 
from henceforth I will be thy 
disciple and servant. 

22 T While they were dis- 
coursing on these and such like 
things, the Lady St. Mary came 
in, having been three days walk- 
ing about with Joseph, seeking 
for him. 

23 And when she saw him 
sitting among the doctors, and 
in his turn proposing questions 
to them, and giving answers, she 
said to him. My son, why hast 
thou done thus by us ? Behold I 
and thy father have been at much 
pains in seeking thee. 

24 He replied. Why did ye 
seek me ? Did ye not know that 
I ought to be employed in my 
father's house? 

25 But they understood not 
the words which he said to 

' them. 

26 Then the doctors asked 
Mary, Whether this were her 
son? And when she said, He 



was, they said, O happy Mary, 
who hast borne such a son. 

27 Then he returned with 
them to Nazareth, and obeyed 
them in all things. 

28 And his mother kept all 
these things in her mind ; 

29 And the Lord Jesus grew 
in stature and wisdom, and fa- 
vor with God and man. 

CHAP. XXII. 

I Conceals his miracles, 2 studies the 
law, 3 and is baptized. 

NOW from this time Jesus be- 
gan to conceal his miracles 
and secret works, 

2 And gave himself to the 
study of the law, till he arrived 
to the end of his thirtieth year ; 

3 At which time the Father 
publicly owned him at Jordan, 
sending down this voice from 
heaven. This is my beloved son, 
in whom I am well pleased ; 

4 The Holy Ghost being also 
present in the form of a dove. 

5 This is he whom we wor- 
ship with all reverence, because 
he gave us our life and being, 
and brought us from our moth- 
er's womb. 

6 Who, for our sakes, took a 
human body, and hath redeemed 
us, that so he might so embrace 
us with everlasting mercy, and 
shew his free, large, bountiful 
grace and goodness to us. 

7 To him be glory and praise, 
and power, and dominion, from 
henceforth and for evermore, 
Amen. 

T The end of the whole Gospel 
of the Infancy^ by the assistance 
of the Supreme God, according to 
what we found in the original. 



(6x) 



Christ enlivens clay 



II. INFANCY. 



birds, kills a boy. 



THOMAS'S GOSPEL of the INFANCY of JESUS CHRIST. 

[The original in Greek, from which this translation is made, will be found 
printed by Cotelerius, in his notes on the constitutions of the Apostles, 
from a MS. in the French King's Library, No. 2279. — It is attributed to 
Thomas, and conjectured to have been originally connected with the 
Gospel of Mary.] 



T An Account of the Actions 
and Miracles of our Lord and 



Saviour Jesus Christ in his In- 
fancy. 



CHAP. I. 

3 Jesus miraculously clears the water 
after rain. 4 plays with clay spar- 
rows, which he animates on the 
sabbath day. 
T THOMAS, an Israelite, judged 
A it necessary to make known 
to our brethren among the Gen- 
tiles, the actions and miracles of 
Christ in his childhood, which 
our Lord and God Jesus Christ 
wrought after his birth in Beth- 
lehem in our country, at which 
I myself was astonished; the 
beginning of which was as fol- 
loweth. 

2 \ When the child Jesus was 
five years of age, and there had 
been a shower of rain, which 
was now over, Jesus was playing 
with other Hebrew boys by a 
running stream; and the water 
running over the banks, stood 
in little lakes ; 

3 But the water instantly be- 
came clear and useful again ; ' he 
having smote them only by his 
word, they readily obeyed him. 

4 Then he took from the bank 
of the stream some soft clay, and 
formed out of it twelve sparrows ; 
and there were other boys play- 
ing with him. 

5 But a certain Jew seeing the 
things which he was doing, 
namely, his forming clay into 
the figures of sparrows on the 
sabbath day, went presently 



C62; 



away, and told his father Jo- 
seph, and said, 

6 Behold, thy boy is playing 
by the river side, and has taken 
clay, and formed it into twelve 
sparrows, and profaneth the sab- 
bath. 

7 Then Joseph came to the 
place where he was, and when 
he saw him, called to him, and 
said, Why doest thou that which 
it is not lawful to dc on the sab- 
bath day? 

8 Then Jesus clapping to- 
gether the palms of his hands, 
called to the sparrows, and said 
to them : Go, fly away ; and while 
ye live remember me. 

9 So the sparrows fled away 
making a noise. 

10 The Jews seeing this, were 
astonished, and went away, and 
told their chief persons what a 
strange miracle they had seen 
wrought by Jesus. 

CHAP. II. 

2 Causes a boy to wither who broke 
down his fish-pools, 6 partly restores 
him,, 7 kills another boy, 16 causes 
blindness to fall on his accusers, 18 
for which Josephpulls him, by the ear. 

BESIDES this, the son of Anna 
the scribe was standing 
there with Joseph, and took a 
bough of a willow tree, and 
scattered the waters which Jesus 
had gathered into lakes. 

2 But the boy Jesus seeing 




Baptism of Christ 



andis reproved by Joseph, II. INFANCY. 



Sent to school. 



what he had done, became angry, 
and said to him, Thou fool, what 
harm did the lake do thee, that 
thou shouldest scatter the water ? 

3 Behold, now thou shalt 
wither as a tree, and shalt not 
bring forth either leaves, or 
branches, or fruit. 

4 And immediately he became 
withered all over. 

5 Then Jesus went away home. 
But the parents of the boy who 
was withered, lamenting the mis- 
fortune of his youth took and 
carried him to Joseph, accusing 
him, and said, Why dost thou 
keep a son who is guilty of such 
actions ? 

6 Then Jesus at the request 
of all who were present did heal 
him, leaving only some small 
member to continue withered, 
that they might take warning. 

7 \ Another time Jesus went 
forth into the street, and a boy 
running by, rushed upon his 
shoulder ; 

8 At which Jesus being angry, 
said to him, thou shalt go no 
farther. 

9 And he instantly fell down 
dead: 

10 Which when some persons 
saw, they said, Where was this 
boy born, that everything which 
he says presently cometh to pass ? 

11 Then the parents of the 
dead boy going to Joseph com- 
plained, saying, you are not fit 
to live with us, in our city, hav- 
ing such a boy as that : 

12 Either teach him that he 
bless and not curse, or else de- 
part hence with him for he kills 
our children. 

13 ^ Then Joseph calling the 
boy Jesus by himself, instructed 



him saying. Why doest thou such 
things to in j ure the people so, that 
they hate us and prosecute us? 

14 But Jesus replied, I know 
that what thou sayest is not of 
thyself, but for thy sake I will 
say nothing; 

15 But they who have said 
these things to thee, shall suffer 
everlasting punishment. 

16 And immediately they who 
had accused him became blind. 

17 And all they who saw it 
were exceedingly afraid and 
confounded, and said concerning 
him, Whatsoever he saith, wheth- 
er good or bad, immediately 
cometh to pass: and they were 
amazed. 

18 And when they saw this 



A 



action of Christ, Joseph arose, 
and plucked him by the ear, at 
which the boy was angry, and 
said to him, Be easy ; 

19 For if they seek for us, they 
shall not find us : thou hast done 
very imprudently. 

20 Dost thou not know that I 
am thine? Trouble me no more. 

CHAP. III. 

I Astonishes his schoolmaster by his 

leCi'FfltTlP'. 

CERTAIN schoolmaster 

named Zacchaeus, standing 

in a certain place, heard Jesus 

speaking these things to his 

father. 

2 And he was much surprised, 
that being a child he should speak 
such things ; and after a few days 
he came to Joseph, and said, 

3 Thou hast a wise and sensi- 
ble child, send him to me, that 
he may learn to read. 

4 When he sat down to teach 
the letters to Jesus, he began with 
the first letter Aleph ; 

(63) 



Adv€niur£ at 



CHRIST AND ABGARUS. 



a dyet^s 



5 But Jesus pronounced the 
second letter Mpeth (Beth) Cghi- 
mel (Gimel), and said over all 
the letters to him to the end. 

6 Then opening a book, he 
taught his master the prophets : 
but he was ashamed, and was at 
a loss to conceive how he came 
to know the letters. 

7 And he arose and went 
home, wonderfully surprised at 
so strange a thing. 

CHAP. IV. 

I Fragment of an adventure at a 
dyer's. 

The EPISTLES of 



AS Jesus was passing by a cer- 
tain shop, he saw a young 
man dipping (or dyeing) some 
cloths and stockings in a furnace, 
of a sad color, doing them accord- 
ing to every person's particular 
order ; 

2 The boy Jesus going to the 
young man who was doing this, 
took also some of the cloths. 



^ Here endeth the Fragment of 
Thomas's Gospel of the Infancy 
of fesus Christ, 

JESUS CHRIST and ABGARUS, KING 
of EDESSA. 

[The first writer who makes any mention of the Epistles that passed between 
Jesus Christ and Abgarus, is Eusebius, Bishop of Caesarea, in Palestine, 
who flourished in the early part of the fourth century. For their genuine- 
ness, he appeals to the public registers and records of the City of Edessa 
in Mesopotamia, where Abgarus reigned, and where he affirms that he 
found them written in the Syriac language. He published a Greek trans- 
lation of them, in his Ecclesiastical History.' The learned world has 
been much divided on this subject ; but, notwithstanding the erudite 
Grabe, with Archbishop Cave, Dr. Parker, and other divines, have 
strenuously contended for their admission into the canon of Scripture, 
they are deemed apocryphal. The Rev. Jeremiah Jonei: observes, that 
the common people in England have this Epistle in their houses, in many 
places, fixed in a frame, with the picture of Christ before it ; and that 
they generally, with much honesty and devotion, regard it as the word of 
God, and the genuine Epistle of Christ. ] 



CHAP. I. 

A copy of a letter written by Kin^ Ab- 
garus to Jesus, and sent to hint by 
Ananius, his footman, to Jerusalemy 
5 inviting him to Edessa. 

ABGARUS, king of Edessa, 
to Jesus the good Saviour, 
who appears at Jerusalem, greet- 
ing. 

2 I have been informed con- 
cerning you and your cures, 
which are performed without 
the use of medicines and herbs. 

3 For it is reported, that you 
cause the blind to see, the lame 
to walk, do both cleanse lepers, 
and cast out tinclean spirits and 
devilS) and restore them to health 



(64) 



who have been long diseased, 
and raisest up the dead ; 

4 All which when I heard, I 
was persuaded of one of these 
two, viz., either that you are God 
himself descended from heaven, 
who do these things, or the Sou 
of God. 

5 On this account therefore I 
have wrote to you, earnestly to 
desire you would take the trouble 
of a journey hither, and cure a 
disease which I am under. 

6 For I hear the Jews ridicule 
you, and intend you mischief. 

7 My city is indeed small, but 
neat, and large enough for as 
both. *L.i. C.13. 



/esus' letter 



NICODEMUS. 



to Abgarus, 



CHAP. II. 



The answer of Jesus by Ananias the 
footman to Abgarus the kingy 3 de- 
clining to visit the Edessa. 

ABGARUS, you are happy, for- 
asmuch as you have believed 
in me, whom ye have not seen. 

2 For it is written concerning 
me, that those who have seen me 
should not believe on me, that 
they who have not seen might 
believe and live. 



3 As to that part of your let- 
ter, which relates to my giving 
you a visit, I must inform you, 
that I must fulfill all the ends of 
my mission in this country, and 
after that be received up again 
to him who sent me. 

4 But after my ascension, I 
will send one of my disciples, 
who will cure your disease, and 
give life to you, and all that are 
with you. 



The GOSPEL of NICODEMUS, formerly called the ACTS of 

PONTIUS PILATE. 

[Although this Gospel is, by some among the learned, supposed to have 
been really written by Nicodemus, who became a disciple of Jesus Christ, 
and conversed with him ; others conjecture that it was a forgery towards 
the close of the third century by some zealous behever, who observing 
that there had been appeals made by the Christians of the former age, to 
the Acts of Pilate, but that such Acts could not be produced, imagined 
it would be of service to Christianity to fabricate and publish this Gospel ; 
as it would both confirm the Christians under persecution, and convince 
the Heathens of the truth of the Christian religion. The Rev. Jeremiah 
Jones says, that such pious frauds were very common among Christians 
even in the first three centuries ; and that a forgery of this nature, with 
the view above mentioned, seems natural and probable. The same 
author, in noticing that Eusebius, in his Ecclesiastical History, charges 
the Pagans with having forged and published a book, called The Acts of 
Pilate^ takes occasion to observe, that the internal evidence of this Gospel 
shows it was not the work of any Heathen ; but that if in the latter end 
of the third century we find it in use among Christians (as it was then 
certainly in some churches) and about the same time find a forgery of 
the Heathens under the same title, it seems exceedingly probable that 
some Christians, at that time, should publish such a piece as this, in 
order partly to confront the spurious one of the Pagans, and partly to 
support those appeals which had been made by former Christians to the 
Acts of Pilate ; and Mr. Jones says, he thinks so, more particularly as we 
have innumerable instances of forgeries by the faithful in the primitive 
ages grounded on less plausible reasons. Whether it be canonical or 
not, it is of very great antiquity, and is appealed to by several of the 
ancient Christians. The present translation is made from the Gospel, 
published by Grynaeus in the Orthodoxographa, vol. i. tom. ii. p. 643.] 

The Gospel of Nicodemus the I A NNAS and Caiphas, and Sum- 
disciple, concerning the Suffer- t\ mas, and Datam, Gamaliel, 
ings and Ressurection of our , Judas, Levi, Nepthalim, Alexan- 



Master and Saviour^ JesuS 
Christ. 

CHAP. I. 
Christ accused to Pilate by the Jews 
of healing on the sabbath. 9 sum- 
moned b^ore Pilate by a messenger 



der, Cyrus, and other Jews, went 
to Pilate about Jesus, accusing 
him with many bad crimes. 
2 And said, We are assured 

that Jesus is the son of Joseph 
monea oejore x-itui.e uy u, rnc^^^cn^cr , carnenter ' and horn nf Marv 
who does him honor, 20 worshiped , ^^^ carpenter, ana Dorn 01 mary, 
by the standards bomngdown to him. I * Matt. xiii. 55, and John, vi. 42. 



Ckrist accused by the NICODEMUS. 



Jews before Pilaie, 



and that he declares himself the 1 



Son of God, and a king ; ^ and 
not only so, but attempts the 
dissolution of the sabbath,"* and 
the laws of our fathers. 

3 Pilate replied, What is it 
which he declares? and what 
is it which he attempts dissolv- 
ing? 

4 The Jews told him. We have 
a law which forbids doing cures 
on the sabbath day;' but he 
cures both the lame and the deaf, 
those afflicted with the palsy, the 
blind, and lepers, and demoniacs, 
on that day by wicked methods. 

5 Pilate replied. How can he 
do this by wicked methods? 
They answered. He is a con- 
jurer, and casts out devils by 
the prince of the devils ; * and so 
all things become subject to him. 

6 Then said Pilate, Casting 
out devils seems not to be the 
work of an unclean spirit, but to 
proceed from the power of God. 

7 The Jews replied to Pilate, 
We entreat your highness to 
summon him to appear before 
your tribunal, and hear him 
yourself. 

8 Then Pilate called a messen- 
ger, and said to him. By what 
means will Christ be brought 
hither? 

9 Then went the messenger 
forth, and knowing Christ, wor- 
shiped him ; and having spread 
the cloak which he had in his 
hand upon the ground, he said. 
Lord, walk upon this, and go in, 
for the governor calls thee. 

»John, V. 17, 18. Mark, xv. 2. 

■Matt. xii. 2, &c. Luke, xiii. 
John, V. 18. 

»Exod. XX. 8, &c. 

* Matt. iv. 24. and xi. 5. Matt. 
34, and xii. 24, &c. 



14 



IV. 



ID When the Jews perceived 



what the messenger had done, 
they exclaimed (against him) to 
Pilate, and said, Why did you 
not give him his summons by n 
beadle, and not by a messenger? 
— For the messenger, when he 
saw him, worshiped him, and 
spread the cloak which he had 
in his hand upon the ground be- 
fore him, and said to him. Lord, 
the governor calls thee. 

1 1 Then Pilate called the mes- 
senger, and said, Why hast thou 
done thus ? 

12 The messenger replied, 
When thou sentest me from Jer- 
usalem to Alexander, I saw Je- 
sus sitting in a mean figure upon 
a she-ass, and the children of the 
Hebrews cried out, Hosannah, 
holding bows of trees in their 
hands. 

13 Others spread their gar- 
ments in the way, and said. Save 
us, thou who art in heaven; 
blessed is he who cometh in the 
name of the Lord.' 

14 Then the Jews cried out, 
against the messenger, and said. 
The children of the Hebrews 
made their acclamations in the 
Hebrew language; and how 
couldest thou, who art a Greek, 
understand the Hebrew? 

15 The messenger answered 
them and said, I asked one of 
the Jews and said. What is this 
which the children do cry out in 
the Hebrew language? 

16 And he explained it to me, 
saying, they cry out Hosannah, 
which being interpreted, is, O 
Lord, save me ; or, O Lord, save. 

17 Pilate then said to them. 
Why do you yourselves testify 

» Matt. xxi. 8, 9, &c 



Ckfist worshiped by 



NICODEMUS. 



the standafos. 



to the words spoken by the chil- 
dren, namely, by your silence? 
In what has the messenger done 
amiss? And they were silent. 

1 8 Then the governor said 
unto the messenger, Go forth 
and endeavor by any means to 
bring him in. 

19 But the messenger went 
forth, and did as before; and 
said, Lord, come in, for the gov- 
ernor calleth thee. 

20 And as Jesus was going in 
by the ensigns, who carried the 
standards, the tops of them 
bowed down and worshiped 
Jesus. 

21 Whereupon the Jews ex- 
claimed more vehemently against 
the ensigns. 

22 But Pilate said to the Jews, 
I know it is not pleasing to you 
that the tops of the standards did 
of themselves bow and worship 
Jesus; but why do ye exclaim 
against the ensigns, as if they 
had bowed and worshiped? 

23 They replied to Pilate, We 
saw the ensigns themselves bow- 
ing and worshiping Jesus. 

24 Then the governor called 
the ensigns, and said unto them, 
Why did you do thus ? 

25 The ensigns said to Pilate, 
We are all Pagans and worship 
the gods in temples; and how 
should we think anything about 
worshiping him ? We only held 
the standards in our hands and 
they bowed themselves and wor- 
shiped him. 

26 Then said Pilate to the 
rulers of the synagogue, Do ye 
yourselves choose some strong 
men, and let them hold the stand- 
ards, and we shall see whether 
they will then bend of themselves. 



27 So the elders of the Jews 
sought out twelve of the most 
strong and able old men, and 
made them hold the standards 
and they stood in the presence 
of the governor. 

28 Then Pilate said to the 
messenger, Take Jesus out, and 
by some means bring him in 
again. And Jesus and the mes- 
senger went out of the hall. 

29 And Pilate called the en- 
signs who before had borne the 
standards, and swore to them, 
that if they had not borne the 
standards in that manner when 
Jesus before entered in, he would 
cut off their heads. 

30 Then the governor com- 
manded Jesus to come in again. 

31 And the messenger did as 
he had done before, and very 
much entreated Jesus that he 
would go upon his cloak, and 
walk on it; and he did walk 
upon it, and went in. 

32 And when Jesus went in, 
the standards bowed themselves 
as before and worshiped him. 

CHAP. II. 

I Is compassionated by PilaUi's wi/e^ 
7 charged with being born in forni- 
cation, 12 Testimony to the betroth- 
ing of his parents. 15 hatred of the 
Jews to him. 

NOW when Pilate saw this, he 
was afraid, and was about 
to rise from his seat. 

2 But while he thought to rise, 
his own wife who stood at a dis- 
tance, sent to him, saying, Have 
thou nothing to do with that just 
man ; for I have suffered much 
concerning him in a vision this 
night.' 

3 When the Jews heard this 

> Matt, xxvii. 19. 



(67) 



Charged with being 



NICODEMUS. 



bom in fornication^ 



they said to Pilate, Did we not 
say unto thee, He is a conjurer? 
Behold, he hath caused thy wife 
to dream. 

4 Pilate then calling Jesus, 
said, thou hast heard what they 
testify against thee, and makest 
no answer? 

5 Jesus replied, If they had 
not a power of speaking, they 
could not have spoke; but be- 
cause every one has the com- 
mand of his own tongue, to 
speak both good and bad, let 
him look to it. 

6 But the elders of the Jews 
answered and said to Jesus,What 
shall we look to ? 

7 In the first place, we know 
this concerning thee, that thou 
wast born through fornication; 
secondly, that upon the account 
of thy birth the infants were 
slain in Bethlehem ; thirdly, that 
thy father and mother Mary fled 
into Egypt, because they could 
not trust their own people. 

8 Some of the Jews who stood 
by spake more favorably. We 
cannot say that he was born 
through fornication; but we 
know that his mother Mary was 
betrothed to Joseph, and so he 
was not born through fornica- 
tion. 

9 Then said Pilate to the Jews 
who affirmed him to be born 
through fornication. This your 
account is not true, seeing there 
was a betrothment, as they testi- 
fy who are of your own nation. 

10 Annas and Caiphas spake 
to Pilate, All this multitude of 
people is to be regarded, who 
cry out, that he was born through 
fornication, and is a conjuror; 
but they who deny him to be 



(68) 



born through fornication, are his 
proselytes and disciples. 

1 1 Pilate answered Annas and 
Caiphas, Who are the proselytes ? 
They answered, they are those 
who are the children of Pagans, 
and are not become Jews, but 
followers of him. 

12 Then replied Eleazer, and 
Asterius, and Antonius, and 
James, Caras and Samuel, Isaac 
and Phinees, Crispus and Agrip- 
pa, Annas and Judas, We are 
not proselytes, but children of 
Jews, and speak the truth, and 
were present when Mary was 
betrothed. 

13 Then Pilate addressing 
himself to the twelve men who 
spake this, said to them, I con- 
jure you by the life of Caesar, 
that ye faithfully declare whether 
he was born through fornication, 
and those things be true w^hich 
ye have related. 

14 They answered Pilate, We 
have a law, whereby we are for- 
bid to swear, it being a sin : Let 
them swear by the life of Caesar 
that it is not as we have said, 
and we will be contented to be 
put to death. 

15 Then said Annas and Cai- 
phas to Pilate, Those twelve 
men will not believe that we 
know him to be basely born, and 
to be a conjurer, although he 
pretends that he is the Son of 
God, and a king : * which we are 
so far from believing, that we 
tremble to hear. 

16 Then Pilate commanded 
everyone to go out except the 
twelve men who said he was not 
born through fornication, and 
Jesus to withdraw to a distance, 

»John, V, 17, i8 ; Mark, xv. 2. 



Chfist disputes 



NICODEMUS. 



with Pilate. 



and said to them, Why have the 
Jews a mind to kill Jesus ? 

17 They answered him, They 
are angry because he wrought 
cures on the sabbath day. Pilate 
said, Will they kill him for a 
good work ? ' They say unto him, 

Yes, Sir. 

CHAP. III. 

I Is exonerated by Pilate. 11 Disputes 
•with Pilate co7icerning truth. 

THEN Pilate, filled with anger, 
went out of the hall, and 
said to the Jews, I call the whole 
world to witness that I find no 
fault in that man.'^ 

2 The Jews replied to Pilate, 
If he had not been a wicked per- 
son, we had not brought him 
before thee. 

3 Pilate said to them. Do ye 
take him and try him by your 
law. 

4 Then the Jews said, It is not 
lawful for us to put anyone to 
death. 

5 Pilate said to the Jews, The 
command, therefore, thou shalt 
not kill," belongs to you, but not 
to me. 

6 And he went again into the 
hall, and called Jesus by himself, 
and said to him. Art thou the 
king of the Jews ? 

7 And Jesus answering, said 
to Pilate, Dost thou speak this 
of thyself, or did the Jews tell it 
thee concerning me. 

8 Pilate answering, said to 
Jesus, Am I a Jew? The whole 
nation and rulers of the Jews 
have delivered thee up to me. 
What hast thou done? 

9 Jesus answering, said, My 

kingdom is not of this world : if 

»John, X, 32. 2 John, xviii, 31, &c. 
* Exod. XX. 13. 



(69) 



my kingdom were of this world, 
then would my servants fight, 
and I should not have been de- 
livered to the Jews ; but now my 
kingdom is not from hence. 

10 Pilate said, Art thou a king 
then ? Jesus answered. Thou say- 
est that I am a king : to this end 
was I born, and for this end came 
I into the world; and for this 
purpose I came, that I should 
bear witness to the truth; and 
everyone who is of the truth, 
heareth my voice. 

1 1 Pilate saith to him, What 
is truth? 

12 Jesus saith, Truth is from 
heaven. 

13 Pilate said, Therefore truth 
is not on earth. 

14 Jesus saith to Pilate, Be- 
lieve that truth is on earth among 
those, who when they have the 
power of judgment, are governed 
by truth, and form right judg- 
ment. 

CHAP. IV. 

I Pilate finds no fault in Jesus. 16 The 
Jews demand his crucifixion. 

THEN Pilate left Jesus in the 
hall, and went out to the 
Jews, and said, I find not any 
one fault in Jesus. 

2 The Jews say unto him, But 
he said, I can destroy the temple 
of God, and in three days build 
it up again. 

3 Pilate saith unto them, What 
sort of temple is that of which 
he speaketh? 

4 The Jews say unto him, 
That which Solomon was forty- 
six years in building,^ he said 
he would destroy, and in three 
days build up. 

5 Pilate said to them again, I 
»John, ii. 20. 



POaU inclines to Christ NICODEMUS. The Jews demand his death. 



am innocent from the blood of 
that man; do ye look to it/ 

6 The Jews say to him, His 
blood be upon us and our chil- 
dren. Then Pilate calling to- 
gether the elders and scribes, 
priests and Levites, saith to them 
privately, Do not act thus ; I have 
found nothing in your charge 
(against him) concerning his 
curing sick persons and break- 
ing the sabbath, worthy of death. 

7 The priests and Levites re- 
plied to Pilate, By the life of 
Caesar, if anyone be a blasphemer, 
he is worthy of death ; " but this 
man hath blasphemed against 
the Lord. 

8 Then the governor again 
commanded the Jews to depart 
out of the hall ; and calling Jesus, 
said to him, What shall I do with 
thee? 

9 Jesus answered him. Do ac- 
cording as it is written. 

10 Pilate said to him, How is 
it written? 

11 Jesus saith to him, Moses 
and the prophets have prophesied 
concerning my suffering and res- 
urrection. 

12 The Jews hearing this, were 
provoked, and said to Pilate, 
Why wilt thou any longer hear 
the blasphemy of that man ? 

13 Pilate saith to them. If 
thf^se words seem to you blas- 
pneniy, do ye take him, bring 
him to your court, and try him 
according to your law. 

14 The Jews reply to Pilate, 
Our law saith, he shall be obliged 
to receive nine and thirty stripes, 
but if after this manner he shall 
blaspheme against the Lord, he 
shall be stoned. 



» Matt, xxvii. 24. * Leviticus, xxiv. i.6 



{70) 



15 Pilate saith unto them. If 
that speech of his was blasphemy, 
do ye try him according to your 
law. 

16 The Jews say to Pilate, 
Our law commands us not to put 
any one to death : ^ we desire 
that he may be crucified, because 
he deserves the death of the 
cross. 

17 Pilate saith to them. It is 
not fit he should be crucified : let 
him be only whipped and sent 
away.* 

18 But when the governor 
looked upon the people that were 
present and the Jews, he saw 
many of the Jews in tears, and 
said to the chief priests of the 
Jews, All the people do not desire 
his death. 

19 The elders of the Jews an- 
swered to Pilate, We and all the 
people came hither for this very 
purpose, that he should die. 

20 Pilate saith to them, Why 
should he die? 

21 They said to him. Because 
he declares himself to be the Son 
of God, and a King. 

CHAP. V. 

I Nicodemus speaks in defense of 
Christ, and relates his miracles. 12 
Another Jew y 26 with Veronica ^ 34 
Centurio, and others, testify of other 
miracles. 

BUT Nicodemus, a certain Jew, 
stood before the governor, 
and said, I entreat thee, O right- 
eous judge, that thou wouldest 
favor me with the liberty of 
speaking a few words. 

2 Pilate said to him. Speak on. 

3 Nicodemus said, I spake to 
the elders of the Jews, and the 
scribes, and priests and Levites, 
and all the multitude of the Jews, 

» Exodus, XX. 13. « Luke, xxiii. 16, 



Nicodemus speaks. 



NICODEMUS. A Jew cured by Christ, 



in their assembly ; What is it ye 
would do with this man ? 

4 He is a man who hath 
wrought many useful and glori- 
ous miracles, such as no man on 
earth ever wrought before, nor 
will ever work/ Let him go, and 
do him no harm ; if he Com- 
eth from God, his miracles, (his 
miraculous cures) will continue; 
but if from men, they will come 
to nought,^ 

5 Thus Moses, when he was 
sent by God into Egypt, wrought 
the miracles which God com- 
manded him, before Pharaoh, 
king of Egypt ; and though the 
magicians of that country, Jannes 
and Jambres,^ wrought by their 
magic the same miracles which 
Moses did, yet they could not 
work all which he did ; * 

6 And the miracles which the 
magicians wrought, were not of 
God, as ye know, O Scribes and 
Pharisees ; but they who wrought 
them perished, and all who be- 
lieved them/ 

7 And now let this man go; 
because the very miracles for 
which ye accuse him, are from 
God; and he is not worthy of 
death. 

8 The Jews then said to Nico- 
demus. Art thou become his dis- 
ciple, and making speeches in 
his favor? 

9 Nicodemus said to them. Is 
the governor become his disciple 
also, and does he make speeches 
for him ? Did not Caesar place 
him in that high post. 

'John, iii. 2. 'Acts, v. 38. 

'These are mentioned also as the 
names of the magicians, 2 Tim. iii. 8. 

* Exod. viii. 18, &c. 

• Acts, V. 35. An allusion to Gam- 
aliePs speech. 



(71) 



10 When the Jews heard this 
they trembled, and gnashed their 
teeth at Nicodemus, and said to 
him, Mayest thou receive his 
doctrine for truth, and have thy 
lot with Christ ! 

1 1 Nicodemus replied. Amen ; 
I will receive his doctrine, and 
my lot with him, as ye have 
said. 

12 ^ Then another certain 
Jew rose up, and desired leave of 
the governor to hear him a few 
words. 

13 And the governor said 
Speak what thou hast a mind. 

1 4 And he said, I lay for thirty- 
eight years by the sheep-pool at 
Jerusalem, laboring under a great 
infirmity, and waiting for a cure 
which should be wrought by the 
coming of an angel, who at a 
certain time troubled the water; 
and whosoever first after the 
troubling of the water stepped in, 
was made whole of whatsoever 
disease he had. 

15 And when Jesus saw me 
languishing there, he said to me, 
Wilt thou be made whole ? And 
I answered. Sir I have no man, 
when the water is troubled, to 
put me into the pool. 

16 And he said unto me, Rise, 
take up thy bed and walk. And, 
I was immediately made whole, 
and took up my bed and walked.' 

17 The Jews then said to Pi- 
late, Our Lord Governor, pray 
ask him what day it was on which 
he was cured of his infirmity. 

18 The infirm person replied, 
It was on the sabbath, 

19 The Jews said to Pilate, 
Did we not say that he wrought 
his cures on the sabbath, and 

»John, V. I, 2, &c. 



with Veronica a?td others ^ NICODEMUS. testify of his miracles. 



cast out devils by the prince of 
devils ? 

20 Then another certain * Jew 
came forth, and said, I was blind, 
could hear sounds, but could not 
see any one; and as Jesus was 
going along, I heard the multi- 
tude passing by, and I asked 
what was there? 

2 1 They told me that Jesus 
was passing by : then I cried out, 
saying, Jesus, Son of David, have 
mercy on me. And he stood 
still, and commanded that I 
should be brought to him, and 
said to me. What wilt thou ? 

22 I said, Lord, that I may re- 
ceive my sight. 

23 He said to me, Receive thy 
sight: and presently I saw, and 
followed him, rejoicing and giv- 
ing thanks. 

24 Another Jevv^ also came 
forth, and said, '" I was a leper, 
and he cured me by his word 
only, saying, I will be thou 
clean; and presently I was 
cleansed from my leprosy. 

25 And another Jew came 
forth, and said, I was crooked, 
and he made me straight by his 
word." 

26 ^ And a certain woman 
named Veronica, said,' I was af- 
flicted with an issue of blood 
twelve years, and I touched the 
hem of his garment, and present- 
ly the issue of my blood stopped. 

27 The Jews then said. We 
have a law, that a woman shall 
not be allowed as an evidence. 

» Mark, x. 46. 2 Matt. viii. 11, &c. 

3 Luke, xiii. 11, &c. 

< Matt. ix. 20, &c. See concerning 
this woman called Veronica, on whom 
this miracle was performed ; and the 
statue which she erected to the honor of 
Christ, in Euseb. Hist. Eccl.i. 7, c. 18. , 



(72} 



28 And, after other things, an- 
other Jew said,' I saw Jesus in- 
vited to a wedding with his dis- 
ciples, and there was a want of 
wine in Cana of Galilee; 

29 And when the wine was all 
drank, he commanded the ser- 
vants that they should fill six 
pots which were there with 
water, and they filled them up 
to the brim, and he blessed them, 
and turned the water into wine, 
and all the people drank, being 
surprised at this miracle. 

30 And another Jew stood 
forth, and said,^ I saw Jesus 
teaching in the synagogue at 
Capernaum; and there was in 
the synagogue a certain man who 
had a devil; and he cried out, 
saying, let me alone; what have 
we to do with thee, Jesus of 
Nazareth? Art thou come to 
destroy us? I know that thou 
art the Holy one of God. 

31 And Jesus rebuked him, 
saying. Hold thy peace, unclean 
spirit, and come out of the man ; 
and presently he came out of 
him, and did not at all hurt him. 

32 The following things were 
also said by a Pharisee; I saw 
that a great company came to 
Jesus from Galilee and Judaea, 
and the sea-coast, and many 
countries about Jordan; and 
many infirm persons came to 
him, and he healed them all.' 

33 And I heard the unclean 
spirits crying out, and saying,* 
Thou art the Son of God. And 
Jesus strictly charged them, that 
they should not make hinf 
known. 

34 f After this another pe 

« Luke, iv. 33, &c 
* Mark, iii. 11. 



»John, ii. I, &c. 
"* Matt. V. 23. 



Ckrisi's miracles witnessed. NICODEMUS. His death demanded. 



son, whose name was Centurio, 
said * I saw Jesus in Capernaum, 
and I entreated him, saying, 
Lord, my servant lieth at home 
sick of the palsy. 

35 And Jesus said to me, I 
will come and cure him. 

36 But I said, Lord, I am not 
worthy that thou shouldest come 
under my roof; but only speak 
the word, and my servant shall 
be healed. 

37 And Jesus said unto me, 
Go thy way ; and as thou hast 
believed, so be it done unto thee. 
And my servant was healed from 
that same hour. 

38 Then a certain nobleman 
said, I had a son in Capernaum, 
who lay at the point of death; 
and when I heard that Jesus was 
come into Galilee, I went and 
besought him that he would come 
down to my house and heal my 
son, for he was at the point of 
death. 

39 He said to me, Go thy way, 
thy son liveth. 

40 And my son was cured 
from that hour. 

41 Besides these, also many 
others of the Jews, both men and 
women, cried out and said. He is 
truly the Son of God, who cures 
all diseases only by his word, 
and to whom the devils are alto- 
gether subject. 

42 Some of them farther said. 
This power can proceed from 
none but God. 

43 Pilate said to the Jews, 
Why are not the devils subject 
to your doctors? 

44 Some of them said. The 
power of subjecting devils can- 
not proceed but from God. 



>Matt viii. 5, &c 



45 But others said to Pilate, 
That he had' raised Lazarus 
from the dead, after he had been 
four days in his grave. 

46 The governor hearing this, 
trembling said to the multitude 
of the Jews, What will it profit 
you to shed innocent blood? 

CHAP. VL 

I Pilate dismayed by the turbulence of 
the Jews ^ 5 who demand Barabba^ 
to be released, and Christ to be cru- 
cified, 9 Pilate warmly expostulates 
with them, 20 washes his hands of 
Christ's blood, 23 and sentences him 
to be whipped and crut ified. 

THEN Pilate having called 
together Nicodemus, and 
the fifteen men who said that 
Jesus was not born through for- 
nication, said to them, What 
shall I do, seeing there is like to 
be a tumult among the people/ 

2 They said unto him, We 
know not; let them look to it 
who raise the tumult. 

3 Pilate then called the multi- 
tude again, and said to them, Ye 
know that ye have a custom, 
that I should release to you one 
prisoner at the feast of the pass- 
over: 

4 I have a noted prisoner, a 
murderer, who is called Barab- 
bas, and Jesus who is called 
Christ, in whom I find nothing 
that deserves death ; which of 
them therefore have you a mind 
that I should release to you ? ' 

5 They all cry out, and say, 
Release to us Barabbas. 

6 Pilate saith to them. What 
then shall I do with Jesus who 
is called Christ ? 

7 They all answer, Let him be 
crucified. 

ijohn, xi. 17, &c. 

« Matt, xxvii. 24. » Matt xxvii. 21. 



(7S) 



by the Jews y and 



NICODEMUS. 



ordered by Pilate, 



8 Again they cry out and say 
to Pilate, You are not the friend 
of Caesar, if you release this 
man ; ^ for he hath declared that 
he is the Son of God, and a king. 
But are you inclined that he 
should be king, and not Caesar ? 

9 Then Pilate filled with anger 
said to them. Your nation hath 
always been seditious, and you 
are always against those who 
have been serviceable to you. 

ID The Jews replied. Who are 
those who have been serviceable 
to us. 

1 1 Pilate answered them. Your 
God who delivered you from the 
hard bondage of the Egyptians, 
and brought you over the Red 
Sea as though it had been dry 
land, and fed you in the wilder- 
ness with manna and the flesh 
of quails, and brought water out 
of the rock, and gave you a law 
from heaven : 

12 Ye provoked him all ways, 
and desired for yourselves a 
molten calf, and worshiped it, 
and sacrificed to it, and said, 
These are thy Gods, O Israel, 
which brought thee out of the 
land of Egypt ? 

13 On account of which your 
God was inclined to destroy you ; 
but Moses interceded for you, 
and your God heard him, and 
forgave your iniquity. 

14 Afterwards ye were enraged 
against, and would have killed 
your prophets, Moses and Aaron, 
when they fled to the tabernacle, 
and ye were always murmuring 
against God and his prophets. 

15 And arising from his judg- 
ment seat, he would have gone 
out ; but the Jews all cried out, 

ijohn, xiz. 12. 



We acknowledge Caesar to be 
king and not Jesus. 

16 Whereas this person, as 
soon as he was born, the wise 
men came and offered gifts unto 
him ; which when Herod heard, 
he was exceedingly troubled, and 
would have killed him. 

17 When his father knew 
this, he fled with him and his 
mother Mary into Egypt. Herod, 
when he heard he was born, 
would have slain him; and ac- 
cordingly sent and slew all the 
children which were in Bethle- 
hem, and in all the coasts there- 
of, from two years old and under.' 

18 When Pilate heard this ac- 
count, he was afraid; and com- 
manding silence among the peo- 
ple, who made a noise, he said to 
Jesus, Art thou therefore a king? 

19 All the Jews replied to Pi- 
late, he is the very person whom 
Herod sought to have slain. 

20 Then Pilate taking water, 
washed his hands before the 
people and said, I am innocent 
of the blood of this just person; 
look ye to it." 

21 The Jews answered and 
said. His blood be upon us and 
our children. 

22 Then Pilate commanded 
Jesus to be brought before him, 
and spake to him in the following 
words ; 

23 Thy own nation hath charg- 
ed thee as making thyself a king ; 
wherefore I, Pilate, sentence thee 
to be whipped according to the 
laws of former governors; and 
that thou be first bound, then 
hanged upon a cross in that 
place where thou art now a pris- 
oner; and also two criminals 

' Matt. ii. > Matt, xzvii. 24, && 



(74) 




"h- ''^Vq^ to Calvary. 




Raisiyig of Lasuriis^ 



Chrises crucifixion 



NICODEMUS. 



attended by miracles. 



with thee, whose names are 
Dimas and Gestas. 

CHAP. VII. 

I Manner of Christ's crucifixion ztnth 
the two thieves. 

THEN Jesus went out of the 
hall, and the two thieves 
with him. 

2 And when they came to the 
place which is called Golgotha,' 
they stript him of his raiment, 
and girt him about with a linen 
cloth, and put a crown of thorns 
upon his head, and put a reed in 
his hand. 

3 And in like manner did they 
to the two thieves who were cru- 
cified with him, Dimas on his 
right hand and Gestas on his 
left. 

4 But Jesus said, My Father, 
forgive them ; For they know not 
what they do. 

5 And they divided his gar- 
ments, and upon his vesture they 
cast lots. 

6 The people in the meantime 
stood by, and the chief priests 
and elders of the Jews mocked 
him, saying, He saved others, 
let him now save himself if he 
can ; if he be the son of God, let 
him now come down from the 
cross. 

7 The soldiers also mocked 
him, and talking vinegar and gall, 
offered it to him to drink, and 
said to him. If thou art king of 
the Jews, deliver thyself. 

8 Then Longinus, a certain 
soldier, taking a spear," pierced 
his side, and presently there 
came forth blood and water. 

9 And Pilate wrote the title 
upon the cross in Hebrew, Latin, 

* Matt, xxvii. 33. « John, xix. 34. 



and Greek letters, viz. This is 
the king of the Jews.' 

10 But one of the two thieves 
who were crucified with Jesus, 
whose name was Gestas, said to 
Jesus, If thou art the Christ, de- 
liver thyself and us. 

1 1 But the thief who was cru- 
cified on his right hand, whose 
name was Dimas, answering, re- 
buked him, and said. Dost not 
thou fear God, who art con- 
demned to this punishment ? We 
indeed receive rightly and justly 
the demerit of our actions ; but 
this Jesus, what evil hath he 
done? 

12 After this, groaning, he said 
to Jesus, Lord, remember me 
when thou comest into thy king- 
dom. 

13 Jesus answering, said to 
him. Verily I say unto thee, that 
this day thou shalt be with me 
in Paradise. 

CHAP. VIII. 

I Miraculous appearance at his death. 
10 The Jews say the eclipse was 
natural. 12 Joseph of Aritnathcca 
embalms Christ's body and buries it. 

AND it was about the sixth 
hour,' and darkness was 
upon the face of the whole earth 
until the ninth hour. 

2 And while the sun was 
eclipsed, behold the vail of the 
temple was rent from the top to 
the bottom; and the rocks also 
were rent, and the graves opened, 
and many bodies of saints, which 
slept, arose. 

3 And about the ninth hour 
Jesus cried out with a loud voice, 
saying, Hely, Hely, lama zabac- 
thani ? which being interpreted, 

»John, xix. 19. 

' Matt, xxvii. 4S> &c. 



(75) 



and his body hurled hy NICODEMUS. Joseph of ArimathcBa, 



hast 



is, My God, My God, why 
thou forsaken me? 

4 And after these things, Jesus 
said, Father, into thy hands I 
commend my spirit ; and having 
said this he gave up the ghost. 

5 But when the centurion saw 
that Jesus thus crying out gave 
up the ghost, he glorified God, 
and said. Of a truth this was a 
just man. 

6 And all the people who stood 
by, were exceedingly troubled at 
the sight; and reflecting upon 
what had passed, smote upon 
their breasts, and then returned 
to the city of Jerusalem. 

7 The centurion went to the 
governor and related to him all 
that had passed; 

8 And when he had heard all 
these things, he was exceeding 
sorrowful ; 

9 And calling the Jews togeth- 
er, said to them, Have ye seen the 
miracle of the sun's eclipse, and 
the other things which came to 
pass, while Jesus was dying? 

10 Which when the Jews heard 
they answered to the governor. 
The eclipse of the sun happened 
according to its usual custom. 

1 1 But all those who were the 
acquaintance of Christ, stood at 
a distance, as did the women who 
had followed Jesus from Galilee, 
observing all these things. 

12 And ' behold a certain man 
of Arimathsea, named Joseph, 
who also was a disciple of Jesus, 
but not openly so, for fear of the 
Jews, came to the governor, and 
entreated the governor that he 
would give him leave to take 
away the body of Jesus from the 
cross. 

Jjohn, xix. 38. 



13 And the governor gave him 
leave. 

14 And Nicodemus came, 
bringing with him a mixture of 
myrrh and aloes about a hundred 
pound weight; and they took 
down Jesus from the cross with 
tears, and bound him with linen 
cloths with spices, according to 
the custom of burying among 
the Jews, 

15 And placed him in a new 
tomb, which Joseph had built, 
and caused to be cut out of a 
rock, in which never any man 
had been put ; and they rolled a 
great stone to the door of the 
sepulchre. 

CHAP. IX. 

I The Jezvs angry with Nicodemus ; 
5 and with Joseph of Arimathcsa, 7 
whom they imprison. 

WHEN the unjust Jews heard 
that Joseph had begged 
and buried the body of Jesus, 
they sought after Nicodemus; 
and those fifteen men who had 
testified before the governor, that 
Jesus was not born through for- 
nication, and other good persons 
who had shewn any good actions 
towards him. 

2 But when they all concealed 
themselves through fear of the 
Jews, Nicodemus alone shewed 
himself to them, and said, How 
can such persons as these enter 
into the synagogue ? 

3 The Jews answered him, 
But how durst thou enter into 
the synagogue, who wast a con- 
federate with Christ? Let thy 
lot be along with him in the 
other world. 

4 Nicodemus answered,. Amen : 
so may it be, that I may have 
my lot with him in his kingdom. 

(76) 



Joseph of A. imprisoned, NICODEMUS. 



Christ rises again 



5 In like manner Joseph, when 
he came to the Jews, said to 
them. Why are ye angry with 
me for desiring the body of Jesus 
of Pilate? Behold, I have put 
him in my tomb, and wrapped 
him up in clean linen, and put 
a stone at the door of the sep- 
ulchre : 

6 I have acted rightly towards 
him ; but ye have acted unjustly 
against that just person, in cru- 
cifying him, giving him vinegar 
to drink, crowning him with 
thorns, tearing his body with 
whips, and prayed down the 
guilt of his blood upon you. 

7 The Jews at the hearing of 
this were disquieted, and trou- 
bled; and they seized Joseph, 
and commanded him to be put 
in custody before the sabbath, 
and kept there till the sabbath 
was over. 

8 And they said to him. Make 
confession ; for at this time it is 
not lawful to do thee any harm, 
till the first day of the week 
come. But we know that thou 
wilt not be thought worthy of a 
burial; but we will give thy 
flesh to the birds of the air, and 
the beasts of the earth. 

9 Joseph answered, That 
speech is like the speech of 
proud Goliath, who reproached 
the living God in speaking 
against David. But ye scribes 
and doctors know that God saith 
by the prophet, Vengeance is 
mine, and I will repay to you^ 
evil equal to that which ye have 
threatened to me. 

ID The God whom you have 
hanged upon the cross, is able to 
deliver me out of your hands, 
> Deut. xxxii. 35. Heb. x. 40. 



All your wickedness will return 
upon you. 

1 1 For the governor, when he 
washed his hands, said, I am 
clear from the blood of this just 
person. But ye answered and 
cried out, His blood be upon us 
and our children. According as 
ye have said, may ye perish for- 
ever. 

12 The elders of the Jews 
hearing these words, were ex- 
ceedingly enraged; and seizing 
Joseph, they put him into a 
chamber where there was no 
window ; they fastened the door, 
and put a seal upon the lock; 

13 And Annas and Caiphas 
placed a guard upon it, and took 
counsel with the priests and Le- 
vites, that they should all meet 
after the sabbath, and they con- 
trived to what death they should 
put Joseph. 

14 When they had done this, 
the rulers, Annas and Caiphas, 
order Joseph to be brought forth. 
\ In this place there is a portion 

of the Gospel lost or omitted^ 
which cannot be supplied. 

CHAP. X. 

I Joseph's escape. 2 The soldiers re- 
late Christ's resurrection. 18 Christ 
is seen preaching in Galilee. 21 The 
Jews repent of their cruelty to hint. 

WHEN all the assembly 
heard this, they admired 
and were astonished, because 
they found the same seal upon 
the lock of the chamber, and 
could not find Joseph. 

2 Then Annas and Caiphas 
went forth, and while they were 
all admiring at Joseph's being 
gone, behold one of the soldiers, 
who kept the sepulchre of Jesus, 
spake in the assembly. 



(77) 



Jesus appears 



NICODEMUS. 



in Galilee 



3 That * while they were guard- 
ing the sepulchre of Jesus, there 
was at? earthquake ; and we saw 
an angel of God roll away the 
stone of the sepulchre and '^ sit 
upon it; 

4 And his countenance was 
like lightning and his garment 
like snow; and we became 
through fear like persons dead. 

5 And we heard an angel say- 
ing to the women at the sepulchre 
of Jesus, Do not fear; I know 
that you seek Jesus who was 
crucified ; he is risen as he fore- 
told. 

6 Come and see the place 
where he was laid ; and go pres- 
ently, and tell his disciples that 
he is risen from the dead, and 
he will go before you into 
Galilee; there ye shall see him 
as he told you. 

7 Then the Jews called to- 
getlier all the soldiers who kept 
the sepulchre of Jesus, and said 
to them, Who are those women, 
to whom the angel spoke? Why 
did ye not seize them ? 

8 The soldiers answered and 
said. We know not whom the wo- 
men were ; besides we became as 
dead persons through fear, and 
how could we seize those wo- 
men? 

9 The Jews said to them, As 
the Lord liveth, we do not believe 
you. 

ID The soldiers answering said 
to the Jews when ye saw and 
heard Jesus working so many 
miracles, and did not believe 
him, how should ye believe us ? 
Ye wel] said, as the Lord liveth, 
for the Lord truly does live. 



^ Matt, xxviii. ii, 12. &c. 
* Matt, xxviii. i, 2, &c. 



11 We have heard that ye 
shut up Joseph, who buried the 
body of Jesus in a chamber under 
a lock which was sealed; and 
when ye opened it, found him 
not there. 

1 2 Do ye then produce Joseph 
whom ye put under guard in 
the chamber, and we will produce 
Jesus whom we guarded in the 
sepulchre. 

13 The Jews answered and 
said. We will produce Joseph, do 
ye produce Jesus. But Joseph 
is in his own city of Arimathsea. 

14 The soldiers replied. If 
Joseph be in Arimathsea, and 
Jesus in Galilee, we heard the 
angel inform the women. 

15 The Jews hearing this, were 
afraid, and said among them- 
selves, If by any means these 
things should become public, 
then everybody will believe in 
Jesus. 

1 6 Then they gathered a large 
sum of money, and gave it to the 
soldiers, saying. Do ye tell the 
people that the disciples of Jesus 
came in the night when ye were 
asleep and stole away the body 
of Jesus ; and if Pilate the gov- 
ernor should hear of this, we will 
satisfy him and secure you. 

17 The soldiers accordingly 
took the money, and said as they 
were instructed by the Jews; 
and their report was spread 
abroad among all the people. 

18 T[ But a certain priest, Phi- 
nees, Ada a schoolmaster, and a 
Levite, named Ageus, they three 
came from Galilee to Jerusalem, 
and told the chief priests and all 
who were in the synagogues, 
saying, 

19 We have seen Jesus, whom 



(78) 



tfissxz 




Descent from the Cross, 



The Jews repent. 



NICODEMUS. Joseph of Arimathcea 



ye crucified, talking with his 
eleven disciples, and sitting in 
the midst of them in Mount 
Olivet, and saying to them,' 

20 Go forth into the whole 
world, preach the Gospel to all 
nations, baptiziiig them in the 
name of the Father, and the Son, 
and the Holy Ghost; and who- 
soever shall believe and be 
baptized shall be saved. 

2 1 And when he had said these 
things to his disciples, we saw 
him ascending up to heaven. 

22 When the chief priests, and 
elders, and Levites heard these 
things, they said to these three 
men, Give glory to the God of 
Israel, and make confession to 
him, whether those things are 
true, which ye say ye have seen 
and heard. 

23 They answering said, As 
the Lord of our fathers liveth, 
the God of Abraham, and the 
Goa of Isaac, and the God of 
Jacob, according as we heard 
Jesus talking with his disciples, 
and according as we saw him 
ascending up to heaven, so we 
have related the truth to you. 

24 And the three men farther 
answered, and said, adding these 
words. If we should not own the 
words which we heard Jesus 
speak, and that we saw him 
ascending into heaven, we should 
be guilty of sin. 

25 Then the chief priests im- 
mediately rose up, and holding 
the book of the law in their 
hands, conjured these men, say- 
ing. Ye shall no more hereafter 
declare those things which ye 
have spoken concerning Jesus. 

26 And they gave them a large 

* Matt, xxviii. 16. and Mark, xvi. 16 



sum of money, and sent other 
persons along with them, who 
should conduct them to their 
own country, that they might 
not by any means make any 
stay at Jerusalem. 

27 Then the Jews did assemble 
all together, and having express- 
ed the most lamentable concern, 
said, What is this extraordinary 
thing which is come to pass in 
Jerusalem ? 

28 But Annas and Caiaphas 
comforted them, saying, Why 
should we believe the soldiers 
who guarded the sepulchre of 
Jesus, in telling us, that an angel 
rolled away the stone from the 
door of the sepulchre ? 

29 Perhaps his own disciples 
told them this, and gave them 
money that they should say so, 
and they themselves took away 
the body of Jesus. 

30 Besides, consider this, that 
there is no credit to be given to 
foreigners,' because they also 
took a large sum of us, and they 
have declared to us according to 
the instructions which we gave 
them. They must either be faith- 
ful to us, or to the disciples of 
Jesus. 

CHAP. XI. 

I Nicodemus counsels the Jews. 6 
Joseph found. 1 1 Invited by the Jews 
to return. 19 Relates the manner 
of his miraculous escape, 

THEN Nicodemus arose, and 
said, ye say right, O sons of 
Israel, ye have heard what those 
three men have sworn by the Law 
of God, who said. We have seen 
Jesus speaking with his disciples 
upon mount Olivet, and we saw 
him ascending up to heaven, 

' HeathenSo 



(79) 



mviUd by the Jews 



NICODEMUS. 



to relate the 



2 And the scripture teacheth 
us that the blessed prophet Eli j ah 
was taken up to heaven; and 
Elisha being asked by the sons 
of the prophets, Where is our 
father Elijah? He said to them, 
that he is taken up to heaven. 

3 And the sons of the prophets 
said to him, Perhaps the spirit 
hath carried him into one of the 
mountains of Israel, there per- 
haps we shall find him. And 
they besought Elisha, and he 
walked about with them three 
days and they could not find 
him. 

4 And now hear me, O sons of 
Israel, and let us send men into 
the mountains of Israel, lest per- 
haps the spirit hath carried away 
Jesus, and there perhaps we shall 
find him, and be satisfied. 

5 And the counsel of Nico- 
demus pleased all the people; 
and they sent forth men who 
sought for Jesus, but could not 
find him; and they returning, 
said, We went all about, but 
could not find Jesus, but we have 
found Joseph in his city of 
Arimathaea. 

6 The rulers hearing this, and 
all the people, were glad, and 
praised the God of Israel, because 
Joseph was found, whom they 
had shut up in a chamber, and 
could not find. 

7 And when they had formed 
a large assembly, the chief priests 
said, By what means shall we 
bring Joseph to us to speak with 
him? 

8 And taking a piece of paper, 
they wrote to him, and said. 
Peace be with thee, and all thy 
family. We know that we have 
offended against God and thee. 



Be pleased to give a visit to us 
your fathers, for we were per- 
fectly surprised at your escape 
from prison. 

9 We know that it was mali- 
cious counsel which we took 
against thee, and that the Lord 
took care of thee, and the Lord 
himself delivered thee from our 
designs. Peace be unto thee, 
Joseph, who art honorable among 
all the people. 

10 And they chose seven of 
Joseph's friends, and said to 
them. When ye come to Joseph, 
salute him in peace, and give 
him this letter. 

T I Accordingly, when the men 
came to Joseph, they did salute 
him in peace and gave him the 
letter. 

12 And when Joseph had read 
it, he said, Blessed be the Lord 
God, who didst deliver me from 
the Israelites, that they could 
not shed my blood. Blessed be 
God, who hast protected me 
under thy wings. 

13 And Joseph kissed them, 
and took them into his house. 
And on the morrow, Joseph 
mounted his ass, and went along 
with them to Jerusalem. 

14 And when all the Jews 
heard these things, they went out 
to meet him, and cried out, say- 
ing. Peace attend thy coming 
hither, father Joseph. 

15 To which he answered, 
Prosperity from the Lord attend 
all the people. 

16 And they all kissed him; 
and Nicodemus took him to his 
house, having prepared a large 
entertainment. 

17 But on the morrow, being 
a preparation-day, Annas, and 



(80) 



Tnanner of his escape, NICODEMUS. 



Thi Jews dismay ecL 



Caiphas, and Nicodemus, said to 
Joseph, Make confession to the 
God of Israel, and answer to us 
all those questions which we 
shall ask thee ; 

1 8 For we have been very 
much troubled, that thou didst 
bury the body of Jesus ; and that 
when we had locked thee in a 
chamber, we could not find thee ; 
and we have been afraid ever 
since, till this time of thy ap- 
pearing among us. Tell us 
therefore before God, all that 
came to pass. 

19 Then Joseph answering, 
said, Ye did indeed put me under 
confinement, on the day of prep- 
aration, till the morning. 

20 But while I was standing 
at prayer in the middle of the 
night, the house was surrounded 
with four angels; and I saw 
Jesus as the brightness of the 
sun, and fell down upon the 
earth for fear. 

21 But Jesus laying hold on my 
hand, lifted me from the ground, 
and the dew was then sprinkled 
upon me; but he, wiping my 
face, kissed me, and said unto 
me. Fear not, Joseph ; look upon 
me, for it is I. 

22 Then I looked upon him, 
and said, Rabboni Elias! He 
answered me, I am not Elias, but 
Jesus of Nazareth, whose body 
thou didst bury. 

23 I said to him, Shew me the 
tomb in which I laid thee. 

24 Then Jesus, taking me by 
the hand, led me unto the place 
where I laid him, and shewed 
me the linen clothes, and napkin 
which I put round his head. 
Then I knew that it was Jesus, 
and worshipped him, and said, 

(8 



Blessed be he who cometh in the 
name of the Lord. 

25 Jesus again taking me by 
the hand, led me to Arimathaea, 
to my own house, and said to 
me. Peace be to thee ; but go not 
out of thy house till the fortieth 
day ; but I must go to my dis- 
ciples. 

CHAP. XII. 

I The Jews astonished and confounded. 
17 Simeon's two sons, Charinus and 
Lenthius, rise from the dead at 
Chris fs crucifixion. 1 9 Joseph pro- 
poses to get them, to relate the 
mysteries of their resurrection. 21 
They are sought and founds 22 
brought to the synagogue, 23 pri- 
vately sworn to secrecy, 25 and under- 
take to write what they had seen. 

WHEN the chief priests and 
Levites heard all these 
things, they were astonished, 
and fell down with their faces 
on the ground as dead men, and 
crying out to one another, said. 
What is this extraordinary sign 
which is come to pass in Jeru- 
salem? We know the father 
and mother of Jesus. 

2 And a certain Levite said, I 
know many of his relations, 
religious persons, who are wont 
to offer sacrifices and burnt- 
offerings to the God of Israel, in 
the temple, with prayers. 

3 And when the high-priest 
Simeon took him up in his arms, 
he said to. him,' Lord, now let- 
test thou thy servant depart in 
peace, according to thy word; 
for mine eyes have seen thy 
salvation, which thou hast pre- 
pared before the face of all 
people : a light to enlighten the 
Gentiles, and the glory of thy 
people Israel. 

1 Luke, ii. 29. 
I) 



Ckarintcs and Lenthitis^ NICODEMUS. who rose with ChrisU 



4 Simeon in like manner bless- 
ed Mary the mother of Jesus, 
and said to her, I declare to thee 
concerning that child ; He is ap- 
pointed for the fall and rising 
again of many, and for a sign 
which shall be spoken against. 

5 Yea, a sword shall pierce 
through thine own soul also, and 
the thoughts of many hearts 
shall be revealed. 

6 Then said all the Jews, Let 
us send to those three men, who 
said they saw him talking with 
his disciples in mount Olivet. 

7 After this, they asked them 
what they had seen ; who answer- 
ed with one accord, In the pres- 
ence of the God of Israel we 
affirm, that we plainly saw Jesus 
talking with his disciples in 
Mount Olivet, and ascending up 
to heaven. 

8 Then Annas and Caiphas 
took them into separate places, 
and examined them separately ; 
who unanimously confessed the 
truth, and said, they had seen 
Jesus. 

9 Then Annas and Caiaphas 
said '' Our law saith, By the 
mouth of two or three witnesses 
every word shall be established." ' 

10 But what have we said? 
The blessed Enoch pleased God, 
and was translated by the word 
of God; and the burying-place 
of the blessed Moses is known. 

1 1 But Jesus was delivered to 
Pilate, whipped, crowned with 
thorns, spit upon, pierced with a 
spear, crucified, died upon the 
cross, and was buried, and his 
body the honorable Joseph buri- 
ed in a new sepulchre, and he 
testifies that he saw him alive. 

* Deut. xvii. 6. 



(82) 



12 And besides, these men 
have declared, that they saw him 
talking with his disciples in 
mount Olivet, and ascending up 
to heaven. 

13 T[ Then Joseph rising up, 
said to Annas and Caiaphas, Ye 
may be justly under a great sur- 
prise, that you have been told, 
that Jesus is alive, and gone up 
to heaven. 

14 It is indeed a thing really 
surprising, that he should not 
only himself arise from the dead, 
but also raise others from their 
graves, who have been seen by 
many in Jerusalem.^ 

15 And now hear me a little: 
We all knew the blessed Simeon, 
the high-priest, who took Jesus 
when an infant into his arms in 
the temple. 

16 This same Simeon had two 
sons of his own, and we were all 
present at their death and fu- 
neral. 

1 7 Go therefore and see their 
tombs, for these are open, and 
they are risen : and behold, they 
are in the city of Arimathaea, 
spending their time together in 
offices of devotion. 

18 Some, indeed, have heard 
the sound of their voices in 
prayer, but they will not dis- 
course with any one, but they 
continue as mute as dead men. 

19 But come, let us go to them, 
and behave ourselves towards 
them with all due respect and 
caution. And if we can bring 
them to swear, perhaps they 
will tell us some of the mysteries 
of their resurrection. 

20 When the Jews heard this, 
they were exceedingly rejoiced. 

» Matt, xxvii, 53. 



nlates his descent to hell^ NICODEMXJS. who rose with Christ, 



21 Then Annas and Caiaphas, 
Nicodemus, Joseph, and Gama- 
liel, went to Arimathaea, but did 
not find them in their graves; 
but walking about the city, they 
found them on their bended 
knees at their devotions : 

22 Then saluting them with 
all revSpect and deference to God, 
they brought them to the syna- 
gogue at Jerusalem : and having 
shut the gates, they took the 
book of the law of the Lord, 

23 And putting it in their 
hands, swore them by God 
Adonai, and the God of Israel, 
who spake to our fathers by the 
law and the prophets, saying. If 
ye believe him who raised you 
from the dead, to be Jesus, tell 
us what ye have seen, and how 
ye were raised from the dead. 

24 Charinus and Lenthius, 
the two sons of Simeon, trembled 
when they heard these things, 
and were disturbed, and groan- 
ed ; and at the same time looking 
up to heaven, they made the 
sign of the cross with their 
fingers on their tongues, 

25 And immediately they 
spake, and said. Give each of us 
some paper, and we will write 
down for you all those things 
which we have seen. And they 
each sat down and wrote, say- 
ing, 

CHAP. XIII. 

I The narrative of Charinus and 
Lenthius commences. 3 A great 
light in hell. 7 Simeon arrives, 
and announces the coming of Christ. 

OLORD Jesus and Father, 
who art God, also the res- 
urrection and life of the dead, 
give us leave to declare thy 
mysteries, which we saw after 



(83) 



death, belonging to thy cross; 
for we are sworn by thy name. 

2 For thou hast forbid thy 
servants to declare the secret 
things, which were wrought by 
thy divine power in hell. 

3 \ When we were placed 
with our fathers in the depth 
of hell, in the blackness of dark- 
ness, on a sudden there appear- 
ed the color of the sun like gold, 
and a substantial purple-colored 
light enligthening the place. 

4 Presently upon this, Adam, 
the father of all mankind, with 
all the patriarchs and prophets, 
rejoiced and said, That light is 
the author of everlasting light, 
who hath promised to translate 
us to everlasting light. 

5 Then Isaiah, the prophet. 
cried out and said,' This is th 
light of the Father, and the So 
of God, according to my proph-, 
cy, when I was alive upon earth. 

6 The land of Zabulon, and 
the land of Nephthalim beyond 
Jordan, a people who walked in 
darkness, saw a great light ; and 
to them who dwelled in the 
region of the shadow of death, 
light is arisen. And now he is 
come, and hath enlightened us 
who sat in death. 

7 And while we are all rejoic- 
ing in the light which shone 
upon us our father Simeon came 
among us and congratulating all 
the company, said. Glorify the 
Lord Jesus Christ the Son of 
God. 

8 Whom I took up in my 
arms when an infant in the 
temple, and being moved by the 
Holy Ghost, said to him, and 
acknowledged,'' That now mine 

» Isai. xi. I. Matt. iv. 16. 2 Luke, ii. 29. 



relates his descent to hell, NICODEMUS. Satan and the Prince 



eyes have seen thy salvation, 
which thou hast prepared before 
the face of all people ; a light to 
enlighten the Gentiles, and the 
glory of thy people Israel. 

9 All the saints who were in 
the depth of hell, hearing this, 
rejoiced the more. 

ID Afterwards there came forth 
one like a little hermit and was 
asked by every one. Who art 
thou? 

1 1 To which he replied, I am 
the voice of one crying in the 
wilderness, John the Baptist, and 
the prophet of the Most High, 
who went before his coming to 
prepare his way, to give the 
knowledge of salvation to his 
people for the forgiveness of 
sins. 

12 And I John, when I saw 
Jesus coming to me, being moved 
by the Holy Ghost, I said. Be- 
hold the Lamb of God, behold 
him who takes away the sins of 
the world. 

13 And I baptized him in the 
river Jordan, and saw the Holy 
Ghost descending upon him in 
the form of a dove, and heard a 
voice from heaven, saying. This 
is my beloved son, in whom I 
am well pleased. 

14 And now while I was go- 
ing before him, I came down 
hither to acquaint you, that the 
Son of God will next visit us, 
and, as the day-spring from on 
high, will come to us, who are 
in darkness and the shadow of 
death. 

CHAP. XIV. 

I Adam causes Seth to relate what he 
heard from Michael, the archangel, 
when he sent him to Paradise to en- 
treat God to anoint his head in his 
sickness. 



BUT when the first man our 
father Adam heard these 
things, that Jesus was baptized 
in Jordan,' he called out to his 
son, Seth, and said, 

2 Declare to your sons, the 
patriarchs and prophets, all those 
things, which thou didst hear 
from Michael, the archangel, 
when I sent thee to the gates of 
Paradise, to entreat God that he 
would anoint my head when I 
was sick. 

3 Then Seth, coming near to 
the patriarchs and prophets, said, 
I Seth, when I was praying to 
God at the gates of Paradise, 
beheld the angel of the Lord, 
Michael, appear unto me, saying, 
I am sent unto thee from the 
Lord ; I am appointed to preside 
over human bodies. 

4 I tell thee Seth, do not pray 
to God in tears, and entreat him 
for the oil of the tree of mercy 
wherewith to anoint thy father 
Adam for his head-ache ; 

5 Because thou canst not by 
any means obtain it till the last 
day and times, namely, till five 
thousand and five hundred years 
be past. 

6 Then will Christ, the most 
merciful Son of God, come on 
earth to raise again the human 
body of Adam, and at the same 
time to raise the bodies of the 
dead, and when he cometh, he 
will be baptized in Jordan ; 

7 Then with the oil of his 
mercy he will anoint all those 
who believe on him ; and the oil 
of his mercy will continue to 
future generations, for those who 
shall be born of the water and 
the Holy Ghost unto eternal life. 

•Matt. iii. 13. 



(84) 



of hell quarreL 



NICODEMUS. Christ arrives at hell. 



8 And when at that time the 
most merciful Son of God, Christ 
Jesus, shall come down on earth, 
he will introduce our father 
Adam into Paradise, to the tree 
of mercy. 

9 When all the patriarchs and 
prophets heard all these things 
from Seth, they rejoiced more. 

CHAP. XV. 

I Quarrel between Satan and the prince 
of hell, concerning the expected ar- 
rival of Christ in hell. 

WHILE all the saints were 
rejoicing, behold Satan, 
the prince and captain of death, 
said to the prince of hell.* 

2 Prepare to receive Jesus of 
Nazareth himself, who boasted 
that he was the Son of God, and 
yet was a man afraid of death, 
and said, * My soul is sorrowful 
even to death. 

3 Besides he did many injuries 
to me and to many others; for 
those whom I made blind and 
lame, and those also whom I 
tormented with several devils, 
he cured by his word ; yea, and 
those whom I brought dead to 
thee, he by force takes away 
from thee. 

4 To this the prince of hell 
replied to Satan, who is that so 
powerful prince and yet a man 
who is afraid of death ? 

5 For all the potentates of the 
earth are subject to my power, 
whom thou broughtest to subjec- 
tion by thy power. 

6 But if he be so powerful in 
his human nature, I affirm to 
thee for truth, that he is al- 

* St. Jerome affirms that the soul of 
Christ went to hell. 



• Matt. xxvi. 38. 



mighty in his divine nature, and 
no man can resist his power. 

7 When therefore he said he 
was afraid of death, he designed 
to ensnare thee, and unhappy it 
will be to thee for everlasting 
ages. 

8 Then Satan replying, said 
to the prince of hell. Why didst 
thou express a doubt, and wast 
afraid to receive that Jesus of 
Nazareth, both thy adversary 
and mine ? 

9 As for me, I tempted him 
and stirred up my old people the 
Jews with zeal and anger against 
him; 

10 I sharpened the spear for 
his suffering ; I mixed the gall 
and vinegar, and comanded that 
he should drink it; I prepared 
the cross to crucify him, and 
the nails to pierce through his 
hands and feet; and now his 
death is near at hand, I will 
bring him hither, subject both to 
thee and me. 

11 Then the prince of hell 
answering, said. Thou saidst to 
me just now, that he took away 
the dead from me by force. 

12 They who have been kept 
here till they should live again 
upon earth, were taken away 
hence, not by their own power, 
but by prayers made to God, and 
their almighty God took them 
from me. 

13 Who then is that Jesus of 
Nazareth that by his word hath 
taken away the dead from me 
without prayer to God ? 

14 Perhaps it is the same who 
took away from me Lazarus, after 
he had been four days dead, and 
did both stink and was rotten, 
and of whom I had possession as 



(8s) 



Christ arrives at helly NICODEMUS. and Satan is expelled. 



a dead person, yet he brought 
him to life again by his power. 

15 Satan answering, replied 
to the prince of hell, It is the 
very same person, Jesus of 
Nazareth. 

16 Which when the prince of 
hell heard, he said to him, I ad- 
jure thee by the powers which 
belong to thee and me, that thou 
bring him not to me. 

17 For when I heard of the 
power of his word, I trembled 
for fear, and all my impious 
company were at the same time 
disturbed ; 

18 And we were not able to 
detain Lazarus ^ but he gave 
himself a shake, and with all the 
signs of malice, he immediately 
went away from us; and the 
very earth, in which the dead 
body of Lazarus was lodged, 
presently turned him out alive. 

1 9 And I know now that he is 
Almighty God who could per- 
form such things, who is mighty 
in his dominion, and mighty in 
his human nature, who is the 
Saviour of mankind. 

20 Bring not therefore this 
person hither, for he will set at 
liberty all those whom I hold in 
prison under unbelief, and bound 
with the fetters of their sins, and 
will conduct them to everlasting 
life. 

CHAP. XVI. 

I Christ's arrival at hell-gates ; the 
confusion thereupon. 10 He descends 
into hell. 

AND while Satan and the 
prince of hell were dis- 
coursing thus to each other, on 
a sudden there was a voice as of 
thunder and the rushing of winds, 
*John, xi. 



(86) 



saying,' Lift up your gates, O 
ye princes; and be ye lift up, 
O everlasting gates, and the 
King of Glory shall come in. 

2 When the prince of hell 
heard this, he said to Satan, 
Depart from me, and begone out 
of my habitations ; if thou art a 
powerful warrior, fight with the 
King of Glory. But what hast 
thou to do with him ? 

3 And he cast him forth from 
his habitations. 

4 And the prince said to his 
impious ofiBcers, Shut the brass 
gates of cruelty, and make them 
fast with iron bars, and fight 
courageously, lest we be taken 
captives. 

5 But when all the company 
of the saints heard this they 
spake with a loud voice of anger 
to the prince of hell, 

6 Open thy gates, that the 
King of Glory may come in. 

7 And the divine prophet Da- 
vid, cried out, saying,^ Did not I 
when on earth truly prophecy 
and say, O that men would praise 
the Lord for his goodness, and 
for his wonderful works to the 
children of men ! 

8 For he hath broken the 
gates of brass, and cut the bars 
of iron in sunder. He hath 
taken them because of their 
iniquity, and because of their un- 
righteousness they are afflicted. 

9 After this another prophet,' 
namely, holy Isaiah, spake in 
like manner, to all the saints. 
Did not I rightly prophecy to you 
when I was alive on earth ? 

10 The dead men shall live, 
and they shall rise again who 

' Psalm xxiv. 7, &c 

* Psalm cvii. 15, &c. 

* Isaiah, xxiv. 19. 




Descent of Christ into Hell. 



Hell greatly disturbed on NICODEMUS. Ckrisfs going thitJier. 



are in their graves, and they 
shall rejoice who are in earth ; 
for the dew which is from the 
Lord, shall bring deliverance to 
them. 

1 1 And I said in another place, 
O death, where is thy victory? 

death, where is thy sting ? 

12 When all the saints heard 
these things spoken by Isaiah, 
they said to the prince of hell,' 
Open now thy gates, and take 
away thine iron bars; for thou 
wilt now be bound, and have no 
power. 

13 Then was there a great 
voice, as of the sound of thunder, 
saying. Lift up your gates, O 
princes ; and be ye lifted up, ye 
gates of hell, and the King of 
Glory will enter in. 

14 The prince of hell perceiv- 
ing the same voice repeated, cried 
out, as though he had been igno- 
rant, Who is that King of Glory ? 

15 David replied to the prince 
of hell, and said, I understand 
the words of that voice, because 

1 spake them by his spirit. And 
now, as I have above said, I say 
unto thee, the Lord strong and 
powerful, the Lord mighty in 
battle: he is the King of Glory, 
and he is the Lord in heaven 
and in earth. 

16 He hath looked down to 
hear the groans of the prisoners, 
and to set loose those that are 
appointed to death. ^ 

17 And now, thou filthy and 
stinking prince of hell, open thy 
gates, that the King of Glory 
may enter in ; for he is the Lord 
of heaven and earth. 

18 While David was saying 
this, the mighty Lord appeared 

« Psahn xxiv. 7, &c. * Psalm xii. 19, 20. 



in the form of a man, and en- 
lightened those places which had 
ever before been in darkness, 

19 And broke asunder the fet- 
ters which before could not be 
broken ; and with his invincible 
power visited those who sate in 
the deep darkness by iniquity, 
and the shadow of death by sin.' 

CHAP. XVII. 

I Death and the devils in great hor- 
ror at Christ's coming. 13 He tram- 
ples on deaths seizes the prince of 
hell, and takes Adam with him, to 
heaven. 

T MPIOUS death and her cruel 
1 officers hearing these things, 
were seized with fear in their 
several kingdoms, when they 
saw the clearness of the light. 

2 And Christ himself on a 
sudden appearing in their habita- 
tions; they cried out therefore, 
and said. We are bound by thee ; 
thou seemest to intend our con- 
fusion before the Lord. 

3 Who art thou, who hast no 
signs of corruption, but that 
bright appearance which is a full 
proof of thy greatness, of which 
yet thou seemest to take no 
notice ? 

4 Who art thou, so powerful 
and so weak, so great and so 
little, a mean, and yet a soldier 
of the first rank, who can com- 
mand in the form of a servant as 
a common soldier ? 

5 The King of Glory, dead 
and alive, though once slain 
upon the cross? 

6 Who layest dead in the 
grave, and art come down alive 
to us, and in thy death all the 
creatures trembled, and all the 
stars were moved and now hast 

' Luke, i. 79. 



(87) 



Christ gives Beelzebub NICODEMUS. dominion over Satan. 



thy liberty among the dead, and 
givest disturbance to our le- 
gions ? 

7 Who art thou, who dost re- 
lease the captives that were held 
in chains by original sin, and 
bringest them into their former 
liberty ? 

8 Who art thou, who dost 
spread so glorious and divine a 
li^;ht over those who were made 
blind by the darkness of sin? 

9 In like manner all the le- 
gions of devils were seized with 
the like horror, and with the most 
submissive fear cried out,and said 

10 Whence comes it, O thou 
Jesus Christ, that thou art a man 
so powerful and glorious in maj- 
esty, so bright as to have no 
spot, and so pure as to have no 
crime? For that lower world of 
earth, which was ever till now 
subject to us, and from whence 
we received tribute, never sent 
us such a dead man before, never 
sent such presents as these to 
the princes of hell. 

11 Who therefore art thou, 
who with such courage enterest 
among our abodes, and art not 
only not afraid to threaten us 
with the greatest punishments, 
but also endeavorest to rescue 
all others from the chains in 
which we hold them ? 

1 2 Perhaps thou art that Jesus, 
of whom Satan just now spoke 
to our prince, that by the death 
o:^ the cross thou wert about to 
receive the power of death. 

13 Then the King of Glory 
trampling upon death, seized the 
prince of hell, deprived him of all 
his power, and took our earthly 
father Adam with him to his 
glory. 



CHAP. XVIII. 

I Beelzebub, prince of hell, vehe'ynent- 
ly upbraids Satan for persecuting 
Christ and bringing him to hell. 
14 Christ gives Beelzebub dominion 
over Satan for ever, as a recotnpense 
for taking away Adam and his sons. 

THEN the prince of hell took 
Satan, and with great in- 
dignation said to him, O thou 
prince of destruction, author of 
Beelzebub's defeat and banish- 
ment, the scorn of God's angels 
and loathed by all righteous 
persons ! What inclined thee to 
act thus ? 

2 Thou wouldst crucify the 
King of Glory, and by his de- 
struction hast made us promises 
of very large advantages, but as 
a fool wert ignorant of what thou 
wast about. 

3 For behold now that Jesus 
of Nazareth, with the brightness 
of his glorious divinity, puts to 
flight all the horrid powers of 
darkness and death; 

4 He has broke down our 
prisons from top to bottom, dis- 
missed all the captives, released 
all who were bound, and all who 
were wont formerly to groan 
under the weight of their tor- 
ments, have now insulted us, 
and we are like to be defeated by 
their prayers. 

5 Our impious dominions are 
subdued, and no part of mankind 
is now left in our subjection, but 
on the other hand, they all bold- 
ly defy us; 

6 Though, before the dead 
never durst behave tnemselves 
insolently towards us, nor, be- 
ing prisoners, could ever on any 
occasion be merry. 

7 Tf O Satan, thou prince of 
all the wicked, father of the impi- 



(88) 



Leaves hell and takes 



NICODEMUS. 



the saints with him* 



ous and abandoned, why would- 
est thou attempt this exploit, 
seeing our prisoners were hither- 
to always without the least hopes 
of salvation and life ? 

8 But now there is not one of 
them does ever groan, nor is 
there the least appearance of a 
tear in any of their faces. 

9 O prince Satan, thou great 
keeper of the infernal regions, 
all thy advantages which thou 
didst acquire by the forbidden 
tree, and the loss of Paradise, 
thou hast now lost by the wood 
of the cross ; 

ID And thy happiness all then 
expired, when thou didst crucify 
Jesus Christ the King of Glory. 

11 Thou hast acted against 
thine own interest and mine, as 
thou wilt presently perceive by 
those large torments and infinite 
punishments which thou art 
about to suffer. 

12 O Satan, prince of all evil, 
author of death, and source of all 
pride, thou shouldest first have 
inquired into the evil crimes of 
Jesus of Nazareth, and then 
thou wouldest have found that 
he was guilty of no fault worthy 
of death. 

13 Why didst thou venture, 
without either reason or justice, 
to crucify him, and hast brought 
down to our regions a person in- 
nocent and righteous, and there- 
by hast lost all the sinners, im- 
pious and unrighteous persons 
in the whole world ? 

14 While the prince of hell 
was thus speaking to Satan, the 
King of Glory said to Beelzebub, 
the prince of hell, Satan, the 
prince shall be subject to thy 
dominion for ever, in the room 



of Adam and his righteous sons, 
who are mine. 

CHAP. XIX. 

I Christ takes Adam by the hand, the 
rest of the saints join hands, and 
they all ascend with him to Paradise. 

THEN Jesus stretched forth 
his hand, and said. Come to 
me, all ye, my saints, who were 
created in my image, who were 
condemned by the tree of for- 
bidden fruit, and by the devil 
and death; 

2 Live now by the wood of my 
cross; the devil, the prince of 
this world, is overcome, and 
death is conquered. 

3 Then presently all the saints 
were joined together under the 
hand of the most high God ; and 
the Lord Jesus laid hold on 
Adam's hand, and said to him, 
Peace be to thee, and all thy 
righteous posterity, which is 
mine. 

4 Then Adam casting himself 
at the feet of Jesus, addressed 
himself to him with tears, in 
humble language, and a loud 
voice, saying,^ 

5 I will extol thee, O Lord, 
for thou hast lifted me up, and 
hast not made my foes to rejoice 
over me. O Lord my God, I 
cried unto thee, and thou hast 
healed me. 

6 O Lord thou hast brought 
up my soul from the grave; 
thou hast kept me alivje, that I 
should not go down to the pit. 

7 Sing unto the Lord, all ye 
saints of his, and give thanks 
at the remembrance of his holi- 
ness. For his anger endureth 
but for a moment ; in his favor 
is life. 

^ Psalm XXX. i, &c. 

(89) 



Adam converses 



NICODEMUS. 



wiik Enochs &e. 



8 In like manner all the saints, 
prostrate at the feet of Jesus, said 
with one voice, Thou art come, O 
Redeemer of the world, and hast 
actually accomplished all things, 
which thou didst foretell by the 
law and thy holy prophets. 

9 Thou hast redeemed the liv- 
ing by thy cross, and art come 
down to us, that by the death of 
the cross thou mightest deliver 
us from hell, and by thy power 
from death. 

10 O, Lord, as thou hast put 
the ensigns of thy glory in heav- 
en, and hast set up the sign of 
thy redemption, even thy cross on 
earth; so, Lord, set the sign of 
the victory of thy cross in hell, 
that death may have dominion 
no longer. 

11 Then the Lord stretching 
forth his hand, made the sign of 
the cross upon Adam, and upon 
all his saints. 

12 And talking hold of Adam 
by his right hand, he ascended 
from hell, and all the saints of 
God followed him. 

13 Then the royal prophet 
David boldly cried, and said,^ 
O sing unto the Lord a new song, 
for he hath done marvelous 
things; his right hand and his 
holy arm have gotten him the 
victory. 

14 The Lord hath made known 
his salvation, his righteousness 
hath he openly shewn in the sight 
of the heathen. 

15 And the whole multitude 
of saints answered, saying,'* This 
honor have all his saints, Amen, 
Praise ye the Lord. 

16 Afterwards, the prophet ^ 

* Psalm xcviii. i, &c. 2 Psalm cxlix. 2. 
3 Hab. iii. 13. 



(90) 



Habakkuk cried out, and saidi 
Thou wentest forth for the salva- 
tion of thy people, even for the 
salvation of thy people. 

17 And all the saints said/ 
Blessed is he who cometh in the 
name of the Lord ; for the Lord 
hath enlightened us. This is our 
God for ever and ever ; he shall 
reign over us to everlasting ages, 
Amen. 

18 In like manner all the 
prophets spake the sacred things 
of his praise, and followed the 
Lord. 

CHAP. XX. 

I Christ delivers Adam to Michael the 
archangel. 3 They meet Enoch and 
Elijah in heaven, 5 and also the 
blessed thief, who relates how he 
cam,e to Paradise. 

THEN the Lord holding Adam 
by the hand, delivered him 
to Michael the archangel; and 
he led them into Paradise, filled 
with mercy and glory ; 

2 And two very ancient men 
met them, and were asked by the 
saints, Who are ye, who have 
not yet been with us in hell, and 
have had your bodies placed in 
Paradise ? 

3 One of them answering, said, 
I am Enoch, who was translated 
by the word of God,^ and this 
man who is with me, is Elijah 
the Tishbite, who was translated 
in a fiery chariot.^ 

4 Here we have hitherto been, 
and have not tasted death, but 
are now about to return at the 
coming of Antichrist, being arm- 
ed with divine signs and mira- 
cles, to engage with him in 
battle, and to be slain by him at 
Jerusalem, and to be taken up 

1 Matt, xxiii. 39- *Gen. v. 24. 

3 Kings, ii. u. 



Blessed thief's story, NICODEMUS. how he came to Paradise, 



alive again into the clouds, after 
three days and a half.' 

5 T[ And while the holy Enoch 
and Elias were relating this, be- 
hold there came another man in 
a miserable figure, carrying the 
sign of the cross upon his shoul- 
ders. 

6 And when all the saints saw 
him, they said to him. Who art 
thou? For thy countenance is 
like a thief's ; and why dost thou 
carry a cross upon thy shoul- 
ders? 

7 To which he answering, said, 
Ye say right, for I was a thief, 
who committed all sorts of wick- 
edness upon earth. 

8 And the Jews crucified me 
with Jesus ; and I observed the 
surprising things which happen- 
ed in the creation at the cruci- 
fixion of the Lord Jesus. 

9 And I believed him to be 
the Creator of all things, and 
the Almighty King ; and I prayed 
to him, saying, Lord remember 
me, when thou comest into thy 
kingdom. 

ID He presently regarded my 
supplication, and said to me. 
Verily I say unto thee, this day 
thou shalt be with me in Para- 
dise.'' 

1 1 And he gave me this sign 
of the cross, saying. Carry this, 
and go to Paradise; and if the 
angel who is the guard of Para- 
dise will not admit thee, shew 
him the sign of the cross, and 
say unto him : Jesus Christ who 
is now crucified, hath sent me 
hither to thee. 

12 When I did this, and told 
the angel who is the guard of 
Paradise all these things, and he 

* Rev. xi. II, * Luke, xxiii. 43. 



heard them, he presently opened 
the gates, introduced me, and 
placed me on the right-hand in 
Paradise. 

13 Saying, Stay here a little 
time, till Adam, the father of 
all mankind, shall enter in, with 
all his sons, who are the holy 
and righteous servants of Jesus 
Christ, who was crucified. 

14 When they heard all this 
account from the thief, all the 
patriarchs said with one voice, 
Blessed by thou, O Almighty 
God, the Father of everlasting 
goodness, and the Father of 
mercies, who hast shewn such 
favor to those who were sinners 
against him, and hast brought 
them to the mercy of Paradise, 
and hast placed them amidst 
thy large and spiritual provi- 
sions, in a spiritual and holy life. 

Amen. 

CHAP. XXI. 

I Otarinus and Lenthius being only 
allowed three days to remain on 
earth, 7 deliver in their narratives y 
which miraculously correspond; they 
vanish, 13 and Pilate records these 
transactions. 

THESE are the divine and 
sacred mysteries which we 
saw and heard. I, Charinus and 
Lenthius are not allowed to de- 
clare the other mysteries of God, 
as the archangel Michael ordered 
us, 

2 Saying, ye shall go with my 
brethren to Jerusalem, and shall 
continue in prayers, declaring 
and glorifying the resurrection of 
Jesus Christ, seeing he hath 
raised you from the dead at the 
same time with himself. 

3 And ye shall not talk with 
any man, but sit as dumb persons 
till the time come when the Lord 



(91) 



Charinus and Lentkius NICODEMUS. 



conclude their visit. 



will allow you to relate the mys- 
teries of his divinity. 

4 The archangel Michael far- 
ther commanded us to go beyond 
Jordan, to an excellent and fat 
country, where there are many 
who rose from the dead along 
with us for the proof of the res- 
urrection of Christ. 

5 For we have only three days 
allowed us from the dead, who 
arose to celebrate the passover of 
our Lord with our parents, and to 
bear our testimony for Christ the 
Lord, and we have been baptized 
in the holy river of Jordan. And 
now they are not seen by any one. 

6 This is as much as God al- 
lowed us to relate to you ; give 
ye therefore praise and honor to 
him, and repent, and he will have 
mercy upon you. Peace be to 
you from the Lord God Jesus 
Christ, and the Saviour of us all. 
Amen, Amen, Amen. 

7 And after they had made an 
end of writing, and had wrote in 
two distinct pieces of paper, 
Charinus gave what he wrote 
into the hands of Annas and 
Caiaphas, and Gamaliel. 

8 Lenthius likewise gave what 
he wrote into the hands of Nico- 
demus and Joseph ; and im- 
mediately they were changed 
into exceeding white forms and 
were seen no more. 

9 But what they had wrote 
was found perfectly to agree, the 
one not containing one letter 
more or less than the other. 

10 When all the assembly of the 
Jews heard all these surprising 
relations of Charinus and Lenthi- 
us, they said to each other, Truly 
all these things were wrought 
by God. and blessed be the 



Lord Jesus for ever and ever. 
Amen. 

1 1 And they all went out with 
great concern, and fear, and 
trembling, and smote upon their 
breasts and went away every one 
to his home. 

12 But immediately all these 
things which were related by the 
Jews in their synagogue con- 
cerning Jesus, were presently 
told by Joseph and Nicodemus 
to the governor. 

13 And Pilate wrote down all 
these transactions, and placed 
all these accounts in the public 
records of his hall. 

CHAP. XXII. 

I Pilate goes to the temple ; calls to- 
gether the rulers, and scribes, and 
doctors. 2 Cofnmands the gates to be 
shut ; orders the book of the Scrip- 
ture, and causes the Jews to relate 
what they really knew concerning 
Christ. 14 They declare that they 
crucified Christ in ignorance, and 
that they now know him to be the Son 
of God, according to the testimony 
of the Scriptures ; which, after they 
put him, to death, they examined. 

AFTER these things Pilate 
went to the temple of the 
Jews, and called together all the 
rulers and scribes, and doctors 
of the law, and went with them 
into a chapel of the temple. 

2 And commanding that all 
the gates should be shut, said to 
them, I have heard that ye have a 
certain large book in this temple ; 
I desire you, therefore, that it 
may be brought before me. 

3 And when the great book, 
carried by four ministers of the 
temple, and adorned with gold 
and precious stones, was brought, 
Pilate said to them all, I adjure 
you by the God of your Fathers, 



(92) 



The Jews repent and NICODEMUS. 



acknowledge Chfist 



who made and commanded this 
temple to be built, that ye conceal 
not the truth from me. 

4 Ye know all the things which 
are written in that book ; tell me 
therefore now, if ye in the Scrip- 
tures have found any thing of 
that Jesus whom ye crucified, and 
at what time of the world he 
ought to have come : shew it me. 

5 Then having sworn Annas 
and Caiaphas, they commanded 
all the rest who were with them 
to go out of the chapel. 

6 And they shut the gates of the 
temple and of the chapel, and said 
to Pilate, Thou hast made us to 
swear, O judge, by the building 
of this temple, to declare to thee 
that which is true and right. 

7 After we had crucified Jesus, 
not kowing that he was the 
Son of God, but supposing he 
wrought his miracles b}^ some 
magical arts, we summoned a 
large assembly in this temple. 

8 And when we were delibera- 
ting among one another about 
the miracles which Jesus had 
wrought, we found many wit- 
nesses of our own country, who 
declared that they had seen him 
alive after his death, and that 
they heard him discoursing with 
his disciples, and saw him as- 
cending unto the height of the 
heavens, and entering into them ; 

9 And we saw two witnesses, 
whose bodies Jesus raised from 
the dead, who told us of many 
strange things which Jesus did 
among the dead, of which we have 
a written account in our hands. 

10 And it is our custom an- 
nually to open this holy book 
before an assembly, and to search 
there for the counsel of God. 



1 1 And we found in the first of 
the seventy books, where Michael 
the archangel in speaking to the 
third son of Adam the first man, 
an account that after five thou- 
sand five hundred years, Christ 
the most beloved Son of God was 
to come on earth, 

12 And we further considered, 
that perhaps he was the very God 
of Israel who spake to Moses, 
Thou shalt make the ark of the 
testimony ; two cubits and a half 
shall be the length thereof, and 
a cubit and a half the breadth 
thereof, and a cubit and a half 
the height thereof.^ 

13 By these five cubits and a 
half for the building of the ark of 
the Old Testament, we perceived 
and knew that in five thousand 
years and a half (one thousand) 
years, Jesus Christ was to come in 
the ark or tabernacle of a body ; 

14 And so our Scriptures testi- 
fy that he is the Son of God, and 
the Lord and King of Israel. 

15 And because after his suf- 
fering, our chief priests were sur- 
prised at the signs which were 
wrought by his means, we opened 
that book to search all the gener- 
ations down to the generation of 
Joseph and Mary the mother of 
Jesus, supposing him to be of the 
seed of David; 

16 And we found the account of 
the creation, and at what time he 
made the heaven and the earth, 
and the first man Adam, and that 
from thence to the flood, were 
two thousand, two hundred and 
twelve years. 

17 And from the flood to 
Abraham, nine hundred and 
twelve. And from Abraham to 

^Exod. XXV. 10. 



(93) 



THE APOSTLES' CREED. 

Moses, four hundred and thirty. ' Jesus Christ, which the Emperor 
And from Moses to David the Theodosius the Great found at 
king, five hundred and ten. ' Jerusalem, in the hall of Pontius 

1 8 And from David to the Pilate among the public records; 
Babylonish captivity, five hun- the things were acted in the nine- 
dred years. And from the teenth year of Tiberius Ccssar, 
Babylonish captivity to the in- Emperor of the Romans, and in 
carnation of Christ, four hundred : the seventeenth year of the govern- 
years. ! ment of Herod the son of Herod 

19 The sum of all of which \ king of Galilee, on the eighth of 
amounts to five thousand and |M^ calends of April, which is the 
half (a thousand.) j twenty third day of the month of 

20 And so it appears, that ' March, in the ccii^ Olympiad, 
Jesus whom we crucified, is Jesus when Joseph and Caiaphas were 
Christ, the Son of God, and true rulers of the Jews ; being a History 
and Almighty God. Amen. i written in Hebrew by Nicodemus, 

In the name of the Holy Trinity, of what happened after our Sav- 
thus end the Acts of our Saviour iour's crucifixion. 



The APOSTLES' CREED. 

[It is affirmed by Ambrose, *'that the twelve Apostles, as skillful artificers 
assembled together, and made a key by their common advice, that is, the 
Creed ; by which the darkness of the devil is disclosed, that the light of 
Christ may appear. ' ' 1 Others fable that every Apostle inserted an article, 
by which the Creed is divided into twelve articles ; and a sermon, fathered 
upon St. Austin, and quoted by the Lord Chancellor King, fabricates that 
each particular article was thus inserted by each particular Apostle : — 
'''Peter. — i. I believe in God the Father Almighty ; 
^John. — 2, Maker of heaven and earth ; 
*' James. — 3. And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord ; 
^'Andrew. — 4. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the 

Virgin Mary ; 
^Philip. — 5. Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; 
^'Thomas. — 6. He descended into hell, and the third day he rose again 

from the dead ; 
*^ Bartholomew. — 7. He ascended into heaven, sitteth at the right hand 

of God the Father Almighty ; 
^^ Matthew. — 8. From thence shall he come to judge the quick and the 

dead; 
^Pames, the son of Alpheus. — 9. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy 

Catholic Church. 
^^ Simon Zelotes. — 10. The communion of saints ; the forgiveness of sins ; 
*'Pude, the brother of James. — 11. The resurrection of the body ; 
^'Matthias. — 12. Life everlasting. Amen." 2 

Archbishop Wake says, "With respect to the Apostles being the 
authors of this Creed, it is not my intention to enter on any particular 
examination of this matter, which has been so fully handled, not only by 
the late critics of the Church of Rome, Natalis Alexander,^ Du Pin,* &c., 

lAmbr. Opera, torn. iii. Serm. 38, p. 265. 2 King's Hist. Apost. Creed, 
8vo., p. 26. 3 Nat. Alex. \ L vol. i., p. 490, &c. <Du Pin, Biblioth. Eccles, 
vol. i., p. 25, &c. ^^^ 



THE APOSTLES* CREED. 

but yet more especially by Archbishop Usher, > Gerard Vossius,' Suicer,' 
Spanhemius,* Tentzelius,' and Sam. Basnage,« among the Protestants. 
It shall suffice to say, that as it is not likely, that had any such thing as 
this been done by the Apostles, St. Luke would have passed it by, with- 
out taking the least notice of it : so the diversity of Creeds in the ancient 
Church, and that not only in expression, but in some whole articles too, 
sufficiently shews, that the Creed which we call by that name, was not 
composed by the ^twelve Apostles, much less in the same form in which 
it now is." ^ 

Mr. Justice Bailey says, "It is not to be understood that this Creed 
was framed by the Apostles, or indeed that it existed as a Creed in their 
time ;"* and after giving the Creed as it existed in the year 600, and 
which is here copied from his Common Prayer Book, he says, "how 
long this form had existed before the year 600 is not exactly known. 
The additions were probably made in opposition to particular heresies 
and errors." 

The most important "addition," since the year of Christ 600, is that 
which affirms, that Christ descended into hell. This has been proved not 
only to have been an invention after the Apostles' time, but even after 
the time of Eusebius. ' Bishop Pearson says,» that the descent into hell 
was not in the ancient creeds or rules of faith. " It is not to be found in 
the rules of faith delivered by Irenaeus,'^ by Origen,'* or by Tertullian.'* 
It is not expressed in those creeds which were made by the councils as 
larger explications of the Apostles' Creed ; not in the Nicene, or Con- 
stantinopolitan ; not in those of Ephesus, or Chalcedon ; not in those con- 
fessions made at Sardica, Antioch, Seleucia, Sirmium, &c. It is not 
mentioned in several confessions of faith delivered by particular persons ; 
not in that of Eusebius Csesariensis, presented to the council of Nice ; '^ 
not in that of Marcellus, bishop of Ancyra, delivered to Pope Julius ; " 
not in that of Arius and Euzoius, presented to Constantine ; '= not in that 
of Acacius, bishop of Caesarea, delivered into the Synod of Seleucia ; '* 
not in that of Eustathius, Theophilus, and Sylvanus, sent to Liberius ; " 
there is no mention of it in the creed of St. Basil ; '^ in the creed of 
Epiphanus ; '^ Gelasius, Damasus, Macarius, &c. It is not in the creed 
expounded by St. Cyril, though some have produced that creed to prove 
it. It is not in the creed expounded by St. Augustine ; 20 not in that 
other,2i attributed to St. Augustine in another place ; not in that ex- 
pounded by Maximus Taurinensis ; nor in that so often interpreted 
by Petrus Chrysologus ; nor in that of the church of Antioch, de- 
livered by Cassianus ; 22 neither is it to be seen in the MS. creeds 
set forth by the learned Archbishop of Armagh. It is affirmed by Ruf- 
finus, that in his time it was neither in the Roman nor the Oriental 
Creeds. "23] 

1 Diatrib. de Symb. ^Voss. Dissert, de tribus Symbolis. ^Suicer. 
Thesaur. Eccles, tom. ii. Voce avficolov, p. 1086, &c. ■*Spanhem, Introd. 
ad Hist. Eccles., | ii. c. 3. * Ernest. Tentzel. Exercit. select. Exercit. I. 
6 Sam. Basnage Exercit. Hist. Crit. ad Ann. XLIV. num. 17, 18. 'Wake's 
Apost. Fathers, 8vo., p. 103. » Mr. Justice Bailey's Common Prayer, 
1813, p. 9. 9 Pearson on the Creed, fol. 1676, p. 225. 'O Lib. i, c. 2. 
11 Lib. de Princip. in Procem. i^Advers. Praxeam., c. ii.. Virgin, veland., 
c. I. — De Praescript advers. Hseres., c. 13. ^^ Theodoret, 1. i, c. 2. 
J^Epiphan. Hae. es. 72. '& Socrat. 1. i, c. 19. '^ ibi^ \ 2, c. 40. "Ibid. 
1. 4, c. 12. 18 Tract, de. Fide in Ascet. '^ In Anchorat. c. 1200 20 d^ 
Fide et Symbolo. 21 Y)q Symbolo ad Catechumenos. 2a ^^ Incarnat. 
lib, 6. 23 Exposit in Symbol., Apost., ^ 20. 

(95) 



THE APOSTLES' CREED. 



/is it stood An. Dom. 600. Copied 
from Mr. Justice Bailey's Edition 
of the book of Comtnon Prayer. 

^^ Before the year 600, it was no more 
than this,'' — Mr. Justice Bailey. 
p. 9. n. 

I I BELIEVE in God the Father 
Almighty. 



2 And in Jesus Christ his only 
begotten son, our Lord ; 

3 Who was born of the Holy 
Ghost aud Virgin Mary. 

4 And was crucified under 
Pontius Pilate, and was buried ; 

5 And the third day rose again 
from the dead, 

6 Ascended into heaven, sit- 
teth on the right hand of the 
Father ; 

7 Whence he shall come to 
judge the quick and the dead; 

8 And in the Holy Ghost; 

9 The Holy Church; 

10 The remission of sins; 

1 1 And the resurrection of the 
flesh. Amen. 



As it stands in the book of Common 
Prayer of the United Church of 
England and Ireland as by law 
established. 



1 I BELIEVE in God the Father 
Almighty, maker of heaven and 
earth : 

2 And in Jesus Christ his only 
son, our Lord; 

3 Who was conceived by the 
Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin 
Mary, 

4 Suffered under Pontius Pi- 
late, was crucified, dead and 
buried ; 

5 He descended into hell ; 



6 The third day he rose again 
from the dead ; 



7 He ascended into heaven, 
and sitteth on the right hand of 
God the Father Almighty ; 

8 From thence he shall come 
to judge the quick and the dead. 

9 T" I believe in the Holy 
Ghost; 

10 The holy Catholic Church ; 
the communion of saints ; 

1 1 The forgiveness of sins ; 



12 The resurrection of the 
body; and the life everlasting. 
Amen. 
(96) 



THE EPISTLE of PAUL the APOSTLE to the 

LAODICEANS. 

[This Epistle has been highly esteemed by several learned men of the church 
of Rome and others. The Quakers have printed a translation, and plead 
for it, as the reader may see, by consulting Poole's Annotations on Col. 
vi. i6. Sixtus Senensis mentions two MSS., the one in the Sorbonne 
Library at Paris, which is a very ancient copy, and the other in the 
Library of Joannes §, Viridario, at Padua, which he transcribed and 
published ; and which is the authority for the following translation. 
There is a very old translation of this Epistle in the British Museum, 
among the Harleian MSS., Cod. 1212.] 



I He salutes the brethren ; 3 exhorts 
them to persevere in good works, 
4 and not to be moved by vain speak- 
ing. 6 Rejoices in his bonds, 10 de- 
sires them, to live in the fear of the 
Lord. 

PAUL an Apostle, not of men, 
neither by man, but by Jesus 
Christ, to the brethren which are 
at Laodicea. 

2 Grace be to you, and peace, 
from God the Father and our 
Lord Jesus Christ. 

3 I thank Christ in every 
prayer of mine, that ye may con- 
tinue and persevere in good 
works looking for that which is 
promised in the day of judgment. 

4 Let not the vain speeches of 
any trouble you, who pervert the 
truth, that they may draw you 
aside from the truth of the Gospel 
which I have preached. 

5 And now may God grant, 
that my converts may attain to a 
perfect knowledge of the truth 
of the Gospel, be beneficent, and 
doing good works which accom- 
pany salvation. 

6 And now my bonds, which 
I suffer in Christ, are manifest, 
in which I rejoice and am glad. 

7 For I know that this shall 
turn to my salvation for ever, 
which shall be through your 
prayer, and the supply of the 
Holy Spirit. 



8 Whether I live or die ; (for) 
to me to live shall be a life to 
Christ, to die will be joy. 

9 And our Lord will grant us 
his mercy, that ye may have the 
same love, and be like-minded. 

10 Wherefore, my beloved, as 
ye have heard of the coming of 
the Lord, so think and act in fear, 
and it shall be to you life eternal ; 

1 1 For it is God, who worketh 
in you. 

12 And do all things without 
sin. 

13 And what is best, my be- 
loved, rejoice in the Lord Jesus 
Christ, and avoid all filthy lucre. 

14 Let all your requests be 
made known to God, and be 
steady in the doctrine of Christ. 

15 And whatsoever things are 
sound and true, and of good 
report, and chaste, and just, and 
lovely, these things do. 

16 Those things which ye have 
heard, and received, think on 
these things, and peace shall be 
with you. 

17 All the saints salute you. 

18 The grace of our Lord 
Jesus Christ be with your spirit. 
Amen. 

19 Cause this Epistle to be 
read to the Colossians, and the 
Epistle of the Colossians to be 
read among you. 



i^i^ 



The EPISTLES of PAUL the APOSTLE to SENECA, with 

SENECA'S to PAUL. 

[Several very learned writers have entertained a favorable opinion of these 
Epistles. They are undoutedly of high antiquity. Salmeron cites them 
to prove that Seneca was one of Caesar's household, referred to by Paul, 
Philip, iv. 22, as saluting the brethren at Philippi. In Jerome's enumera- 
tion of illustrious men, he places Seneca, on account of these Epistles, 
amongst the ecclesiastical and holy writers of the Christian Church. Six- 
tus Senensis has published them in his Bibliotheque, pp. 89, 90 ; and it is 
from thence that the present translation is made. Baronius, Bellarmine, 
Dr. Cave, Spanheim, and others, contend that they are not genuine.] 



CHAP. I. 

Ann^us Seneca to Paul Greeting. 
T SUPPOSE, Paul, you have 
1 been informed of that conver- 
sation, which passed yesterday 
between me and my Lucilius, 
concerning hypocrisy and other 
subjects; for there were some of 
your disciples in company with 
us; 

2 For when we were retired 
into the Sallustian gardens, 
through which they were also 
passing, and would have gone 
another way, by our persuasion 
they joined company with us. 

3 I desire you to believe, that 
we much wish for your conver- 
sation : 

4 We were much delighted 
with your book of many Epistles, 
which you have wrote to some 
cities and chief towns of prov- 
inces, and contain wonderful in- 
structions for moral conduct : 

5 Such sentiments, as I sup- 
pose you were not the author of, 
but only the instrument of con- 
veying, though sometimes both 
the author and the instrument. 

6 For such is the sublimity of 
those doctrines, and their grand- 
eur, that I suppose the age of a 
man is scarce sufficient to be in- 
structed and perfected in the 
knowledge of them. I wish your 
welfare, my brother. Farewell. 



(98) 



CHAP. 11. 
Paul to Seneca Greeting. 

T RECEIVED your letter yes- 
1 terday with pleasure : to which 
I could immediately have wrote 
an answer, had the young man 
been at home, whom I intended 
to have sent to you : 

2 For you know when, and by 
whom, at what seasons, and to 
whom I must deliver every thing 
which I send. 

3 I desire therefore you would 
not charge me with negligence, 
if I wait for a proper person. 

4 I reckon myself very happy 
in having the judgment of so 
valuable a person, that you are 
delighted with my Epistles: 

5 For you would not be es- 
teemed a censor, a philospher, or 
be the tutor of so great a prince, 
and a master of everything, if 
you were not sincere. I wish 
you a lasting prosperity. 

CHAP. HI. 

Ann^us Seneca to Paul Greeting. 

I HAVE completed some vol- 
umes, and divided them into 
their proper parts. 

2 I am determined to read 
them to Caesar, and if any favor- 
able opportunity happens, you 
also shall be present, when they 
are read ; 

3 But if that cannot be, I will 
appoint and give you notice of a 



PAUL TO SENECA. 



day, when we will together read 
over the performance. 

4 I had determined, if I could 
with safety, first to have your 
opinion of it, before I published 
it to Caesar, that you might be 
convinced of my affection to 
you. Farewell, dearest Paul. 

CHAP. IV. 
Paul to Seneca Greeting. 

AS often as I read your letters, 
I imagine you present with 
me; nor indeed do I think any 
other, than that you are always 
with us. 

As soon therefore as you be- 
gin to come, we shall presently 
see each other. I wish you all 
prosperity. 

CHAP. V. 
Ann^us Seneca to Paul Greeting. 

WE are very much concerned 
at your too long absence 
froni us. 

2 What is it, or what affairs 
are they, which obstruct your 
coming ? 

3 If you fear the anger of 
Caesar, because you have aban- 
doned your former religion, and 
made proselytes also of others, 
you have this to plead, that your 
acting thus proceeded not from 
inconstancy, but judgment. Fare- 
well. 

CHAP. VI. 

Paul to Seneca and Lucilius 

Greeting. 

CONCERNING those things, 
about which ye wrote to 
me it is not proper for me to 
mention anything in writing with 
pen and ink : the one of which 
leaves marks, and the other evi- 
dently declares things. 

2 Especially since I know that 



there are near you, as well as me, 
those who will understand my 
meaning. 

3 Deference is to be paid to all 
men, and so much the more, as 
they are more likely to take oc- 
casions of quarreling. 

4 And if we shew a submissive 
temper, we shall overcome effect- 
ually in all points, if so be they 
are, who are capable of seeing 
and acknowledging themselves to 
have been in the wrong. Fare- 
well. 

CHAP. VII. 
Ann^us Seneca to Paul Greeting. 
T PROFESS myself extremely 
A pleased with the reading your 
letters to the Galatians, Corinth- 
ians, and people of Achaia. 

2 For the Holy Ghost has in 
them by you delivered those sen- 
timents which are very lofty, sub- 
lime, deserving of all respect, and 
beyond your own invention. 

3 I could wish therefore, that 
when you are writing things so 
extraordinary, there might not be 
wanting an elegancy of speech 
agreeable to their majesty. 

4 And I must own, my broth- 
er, that I may not at once dis- 
honestly conceal any thing from 
you, and be unfaithful to my own 
conscience, that the emperor is 
extremely pleased with the sen- 
timents of your Epistles ; 

5 For when he heard the be- 
ginning of them read, he declar- 
ed. That he was suprised to find 
such notions in a person, who 
had not had a regular education. 

6 To which I replied, That the 
Gods sometimes made use of 
mean (innocent) persons to speak 
by, and gave him an instance of 
this in a mean countryman. 



(99) 



PAUL AND SENECA. 



named Vatienus, who, when he 1 you as the nature of the things 



was in the country of Reate, had 
two men appear to him, called 
Castor and Pollux, and received 
a revelation from the gods. Fare- 
well. 

CHAP. VIII. 
Paul to Seneca Greeting. 

ALTHOUGH I know the em- 
peror is both an admirer 
and favorer of our (religion), yet 
give me leave to advise you 
against your suffering any in- 
jury, (by shewing favor to us). 

2 I think indeed you ventured 
upon a very dangerous attempt, 
when you would declare (to the 
emperor) that which is so very 
contrary to his religion, and way 
of worship ; seeing he is a wor- 
shipper of the heathen gods. 

3 I know not what you par- 
ticularly had in view, when you 
told him of this; but I suppose 
you did it out of too great respect 
for me. 

4 But I desire that for the 
future you would not do so ; for 
you had need be careful, lest by 
shewing your affection for me, 
you should offend your master: 

5 His anger indeed will do us 
no harm, if he continue a hea- 
then; nor will his not being 
angry be of any service to us : 

6 And if the empress act 
worthy of her character, she will 
not be angry ; but if she act as a 
woman, she will be affronted. 
Farewell. 

CHAP. IX. 
ANNiEUS Seneca to Paul Greeting. 

I KNOW that my letter, where- 
in I acquainted you, that I 
had read to the Emperor your 
Epistles, does not so much affect 



(contained in them), 

2 Which do so powerfully di- 
vert men's minds from their for- 
mer manners and pr:ictices, that 
I have always been surprised, 
and have been fully convinced of 
itby many arguments heretofore. 

3 Let us therefore begin afresh; 
and if any thing heretofore has 
been imprudently acted, do you 
forgive. 

4 I have sent you a book de 
copia verborum. Farewell, dearest 
Paul. 

CHAP. X. 
Paul to Seneca Greeting. 

AS often as I write to you, and 
place my name before yours, 
I do a thing both disagreeable 
to myself, and contrary to our 
religion : 

2 For I ought, as I have often 
declared, to become all things to 
all men, and to have that regard 
to your quality, which the Roman 
law has honored all senators 
with; namely, to put my name 
last in the (inscription of the) 
Epistle, that I may not at length 
with uneasiness and shame be 
obliged to do that which it was 
always my inclination to do. 
Farewell, most respected master. 
Dated the fifth of the calends of 
July, in the fourth Consulship of 
Nero, and Messala. 

CHAP. XL 
Ann^us Seneca to Paul Greeting. 

ALL happiness to you, my 
dearest Paul. 
2 If a person so great, and 
every way agreeable as you are, 
become not only a common, but 
a most intimate friend to me, 
how happy will be the case of 
Seneca ! 



(loo) 



PAUL AND SENECA. 



3 You therefore, who are so 
eminent and so far exalted above 
all, even the greatest, do not 
think yourself unfit to be first 
named in the inscription of an 
Epistle ; 

4 Lest I should suspect you 



manifest ; and if a person in my 
mean circumstances might be al- 
lowed to speak, and one might 
declare these dark things with- 
out danger, ever}^ one should see 
the whole of the matter. 

6 The Christians and Jews are 



intend not so much to try me, as indeed commonly punished for 



to banter me; for you know 
yourself to be a Roman citizen, 

5 And I could wish to be in 
that circumstance or station 
which you are, and that you were 
in the same that I am. Fare- 
well, dearest Paul. Dated the 
x*^ of the calends of April, in 
the Consulship of Aprianus and 
Capito. 

CHAP. XII. 
Ann^us Seneca to Paul Greeting. 

ALL happiness to you, my 
dearest Paul. Do you not 
suppose I am extremely con- 
cerned and grieved that your in- 
nocence should bring you into 
sufferings ? 

2 And that all the people 
should suppose you (Christians) 
so criminal, and imagine all the 
misfortunes that happen to the 
city, to be caused by you? 

3 But let us bear the charge 
with a patient temper, appealing 
(for our innocence) to the court 
(above), which is the only one 
our hard fortune will allow us 
to address to, till at length our 
misfortunes shall end in un- 
alterable happiness. 

4 Former ages have produced 
(tyrants) Alexander the son of 
Philip, and Dionysius ; ours 
also has produced Caius Caesar; 
whose inclinations were their 
only laws. 

5 As to the frequent burnings 
of the city of Rome, the cause is | they treat of, 

(lOlj 



the crime of burning the city; 
but that impious miscreant, who 
delights in murders and butch- 
eries, and disguises his villainies 
with lies, is appointed to, or re- 
served till, his proper time. 

7 And as the life of every ex- 
cellent person is now sacrificed 
instead of that one person (who 
is the author of the mischief), so 
this one shall be sacrificed for 
many, and he shall be devoted to 
be burnt with fire instead of all. 

8 One hundred and thirty-two 
houses, and four whole squares 
(or islands) were burnt down in 
six days; the seventh put an 
end to the burning. I wish you 
all happiness. 

9 Dated the fifth of the calends 
of April, in the consulship of 
Frigius and Bassus. 

CHAP. XIII. 
Ann^us Seneca to Paul Greeting. 

ALL happiness to you, my 
dearest Paul. 

2 You have wrote many vol- 
umes in an allegorical and mys- 
tical style, and therefore such 
mighty matters and business be- 
ing committed to you, require 
not to be set off with any rhe- 
torical flourishes of speech, but 
only with some proper elegance. 

3 I remember you often say, 
that many by affecting such a 
style do injury to their subjects, 
and lose the force of the matters 



PAUL AND THECLA. 



4 But in this I desire you to re- 
gard me, namely, to have respect 
to true Latin, and to choose just 
words, that so you may the bet- 
ter manage the noble trust, 
which is reposed in you. 

5. Farewell. Dated v*^ of the 
nones of July, Leo and Savinus 
consuls. 

CHAP. XIV. 
Paul io Seneca Greeting. 

Y''OUR serious consideration 
requited with those dis- 
coveries, which the Divine Be- 
ing has granted but to few. 

2 I am thereby assured that I 
sow the most strong seed in a 
fertile soil, not anything material, 
which is subject to corruption, 
but the durable word of God, 
which shall increase and bring 
forth fruit to eternity. 

3 That which by your wisdom 



you have attained to, shall abide 
without decay forever. 

4 Believe that you ought to 
avoid the superstitions of Jews 
and Gentiles. 

5 The things which you have 
in some measure arrived to, 
prudently make known to the 
emperor, his family, and to faith- 
ful friends ; 

6 And though your sentiments 
will seem disagreeable, and not 
be comprehended by them, see- 
ing most of them will not regard 
your discourses, yet the Word 
of God once infused into them, 
will at length make them be- 
come new men, aspiring towards 
God. 

7 Farewell Seneca, who art 
most dear to us. Dated on the 
Calends of August, in the consul- 
ship of Leo and Savinus. 



The ACTS of PAUL and THECLA. 

[Tertullian says that this piece was forged by a Presbyter of Asia, who being 
convicted, " confessed that he did it out of respect to Paul," and Pope 
Gelasius, in his decree against apocryphal books, inserted it among them. 
Notwithstanding this, a large part of the history was credited and looked 
upon as genuine among the primitive Christians. Cyprian, Eusebius, Epi- 
phanius, Austin, Gregory Nazianzen, Chrysostom, and Severus Sulpitius, 
who all lived within the fourth century, mention Thecla, or refer to her 
history. Basil or Seleucia wrote her acts, sufferings and victories, in verse ; 
andEuagriusScholasticus an ecclesiastical historian, about 590, relates that 
"after the Emperor Zeno had abdicated his empire, and Basilik had taken 
possession of it, he had a vision of the holy and excellent martyr Thecla, 
who promised him the restoration of his empire ; for which, when it was 
brought about, he erected and dedicated a most noble and sumptuous 
temple to this famous martyr Thecla, at Seleucia, a city of Isauria, and 
bestowed upon it very noble endowments, which (says the author) are 
preserved even till this day." Hist. Eccl. lib. 3, cap. 8. — Cardinal Baronius, 
Locrinus, Archbishop Wake, and others ; and also the learned Grabe, who 
edited the Septuagint, and revived the Acts of Paul and Thecla, consider 
them as having been written in the Apostolic age ; as containing nothing 
superstitious, or disagreeing from the opinions and belief of those times ; 
and, in short, as a genuine and authentic history. Again, it is said, that 
this is not the original book of the early Christians ; but however that 
may be, it is published from the Greek MS. in the Bodleian Library at 
Oxford, which Dr. Mills copied and transmitted to Dr. Grabe.] 

(102) 



Paul's coynpanions PAUL AND THECLA. and preachings. 



The Martyrdom of the holy and 
glorious first Martyr and Apos- 
tle Thee la. 

CHAP. I. 

I Demas and Hermogenes become 
Paul's companions. 4 Paul visits 
Onesiphorus. 8 Invited by Demas 
and Hermogenes. 11 Preaches to 
the household of Onesiphorus. 12. 
His sermon. 

WHEN Paul went up to Ico- 
nium, after his flight from 
Antioch, Demas and Hermogenes 
became his companions, who 
were then full of hypocrisy. 

2 But Paul looking only at 
the goodness of God, did them 
no harm, but loved them greatly. 

3 Accordingly he endeavored 
to make agreeable to them, all 
the oracles and doctrines of 
Christ, and the design of the 
Gospel of God's well -beloved 
son, instructing them in the 
knowledge of Christ, as it was 
revealed to him. 

4 T" And a certain man named 
Onesiphorus, hearing that Paul 
was come to Iconium, went out 
speedily to meet him, together 
with his wife Lectra, and his 
sons Simmia and Zeno, to invite 
him to their house. 

5 For Titus had given them a 
description of Paul's personage, 
they as yet not knowing him in 
person, but only being acquaint- 
ed with his character. 

6 They went in the king's 
highway to Lystra, and stood 
there waiting for him, comparing 
all who passed by, with that de- 
scription which Titus had given 
them. 

7 At length they saw a man 
coming (namely Paul), of a low 
stature, bald (or shaved) on the 



head, crooked thighs, handsome 
legs, hollow-eyed ; had a crooked 
nose; full of grace; for some- 
times he appeared as a man, 
sometimes he had the counte- 
nance of an angel. And Paul 
saw Onesiphorus, and was glad. 

8 \ And Onesiphorus said : 
Hail, thou servant of the blessed 
God. Paul replied. The grace of 
God be with thee and thy family. 

9 But Demas and Hermogenes 
were moved with envy, and, 
under a show of great religion, 
Demas said, And are not we also 
servants of the blessed God? 
Why didst thou not salute us? 

10 Onesiphorus replied. Be- 
cause I have not perceived in 
you the fruits of righteousness ; 
nevertheless, if ye are of that 
sort, ye shall be welcome to my 
house also. 

11 Then Paul went into the 
house of Onesiphorus, and there 
was great joy among the family 
on that account: and they em- 
ployed themselves in prayer, 
breaking of bread, and hearing 
Paul preach the word of God 
concerning temperance and the 
resurrection, in the following 
manner : 

12 ^ Blessed are the pure in 
heart ; for they shall see God. 

13 Blessed are they who keep 
their flesh undefiled (or pure) ; 
for they shall be the temple of 
God. 

14 Blessed are the temperate 
(or chaste) ; for God will reveal 
himself to them. 

15 T Blessed are they who 
abandon their secular enjoy- 
ments ; for they will be accepted 
of God. 

16 Blessed are they who have 



(103) 



Thecla admires 



PAUL AND THECLA. PauVs preaching. 



wives, as though they had them 
not; for they shall be made 
angels of God. 

1 7 Blessed are they who trem- 
ble at the word of God ; for they 
shall be comforted. 

1 8 Blessed are they who keep 
their baptism pure ; for they shall 
find peace with the Father, Son, 
and Holy Ghost. 

19 ^ Blessed are they who 
pursue the wisdom (or doctrine) 
of Jesus Christ ; for they shall be 
called the sons of the Most High. 

20 Blessed are they who ob- 
serve the instructions of Jesus 
Christ; for they shall dwell in 
eternal light. 

21 Blessed are they, who for 
the love of Christ abandon the 
glories of the world, for they 
shall judge angels, and be placed 
at the right hand of Christ, and 
shall not suffer the bitterness of 
the last judgment. 

22 Tf Blessed are the bodies 
and souls of vigins ; for they are 
acceptable to God, and shall not 
lose the reward of their vir- 
ginity; for the word of their 
(heavenly) Father shall prove 
effectual to their salvation in the 
day of his Son, a»d they shall 
enjoy rest for evermore. 

CHAP. II. 

I Thecla listens anxiously to PauVs 
preaching. 5 Thamyris, her ad- 
mirer, concerts with Theoclia her 
mother to dissuade her, 12 in vain. 
14 Demas and Hermogenes vilify 
Paul to Thamyris. 

WHILE Paul was preaching 
this sermon in the church 
which was in the house of Onesi- 
phorus, a certain virgin named 
Thecla (whose mother's name 
was Theoclia, and who was be- 



trothed to a man named Thamy- 
ris) sat at a certain window in 
her house. 

i 2 From whence, by the advant- 
age of a window in the house 
where Paul was, she both night 
and day heard Paul's .sermons 
concerning God, concerning char- 
ity, concerning faith in Christ, 
and concerning prayer ; 

3 Nor would she depart from 
the window, till with exceeding 
joy she was subdued to the doc- 
trines of faith. 

4 At length, when she saw 
man}^ women and virgins going 
in to Paul, she earnestly desired 
that she might be thought wor- 
thy to appear in his presence, and 
hear the word of Christ ; for she 
had not yet seen Paul's person, 
but only heard his sermons, and 
that alone. 

5 T[ But when she would not 
be prevailed upon to depart from 
the window, her mother sent to 
Thamyris, who came with the 
greatest pleasure, as hoping now 
to marry her. Accordingly he 
said to Theoclia, Where is my 
Thecla? 

6 Theoclia replied, Thamyris, 
I have something very strange to 
tell you ; for Thecla, for the space 
of three days, will not move from 
the window, not so much as to 
eat or drink, but is so intent in 
hearing the artful and delusive 
discourses of a certain foreigner, 
that I perfectly admire, Thamy- 
ris, that a young woman of her 
known modesty, will suffer her- 
self to be so prevailed upon. 

7 For that man has disturbed 
the whole city of Iconium, and 
even your Thecla, among others. 
All the women and young men 



(104) 



Demas and Hermogenes PAUL AND THECLA. 



betray Paid, 



flock to him to receive his doc- 
trine; who, besides all the rest, 
tell them that there is but one 
God, who alone is to be worship- 
ed, and that we ought to live in 
chastity. 

8 \ Notwithstanding this, my 
daughter Thecla, like a spider's 
web fastened to the window, is 
captivated by the discourses of 
Paul, and attends upon them 
with prodigious eagerness, and 
vast delight ; and thus, by attend- 
ing on what he says, the young 
woman is seduced. Now then do 
you go, and speak to her, for she 
is betrothed to you. 

9 Accordingly Thamyris went, 
and having saluted her, and tak- 
ing care not to surprise her, he 
said, Thecla, my spouse, why 
sittest thou in this melancholy 
posture ? What strange impres- 
sions are made upon thee ? Turn 
to Thamyris, and blush. 

10 Her mother also spake to 
her after the same manner, and 
said. Child, why dost thou sit so 
melancholy, and, like one aston- 
ished, makest no reply ? 

1 1 Then they wept exceeding- 
ly, Thamyris, that he had lost 
his spouse; Theoclia, that she 
had lost her daughter ; and the 
maids, that they had lost their 
mistress ; and there was an uni- 
versal mourning in the family. 

12 But all these things made 
no impression upon Thecla, so as 
to incline her so much as to turn 
to them, and take notice of them ; 
for she still regarded the dis- 
courses of Paul. 

13 Then Thamyris ran forth 
into the street to observe who 
they were that went in to Paul, 
and came out from him ; and he 



C105) 



saw two men engaged in a very 
warm dispute, and said to them ; 

14 ^[ Sirs, what business have 
you here? and who is that man 
within, belonging to you, who 
deludes the minds of men, both 
young men and virgins, persuad- 
ing them, that they ought not to 
marry, but continue as they are ? 

15 I promise to give you a 
considerable sum, if ye will give 
me a just account of him; for I 
am the chief person of this city. 

16 Demas and Hermogenes 
replied. We cannot so exactly 
tell who he is ; but this we know, 
that he deprives young men of 
their (intended) wives, and vir- 
gins of their (intended) hus- 
bands, by teaching, There can be 
no future resurrection, unless ye 
continue in chastity, and do not 
defile your flesh. 

CHAP. III. 

I They betray Paul. 7 Thamyris ar- 
rests him with officers . 

HEN said Thamyris, Come 
along with me to my house, 
and refresh yourselves. So they 
went to a very splendid enter- 
tainment, where there was wine 
in abundance, and very rich 
provision. 

2 They were brought to a table 
richly spread, and made to drink 
plentifully by Thamyris, on ac- 
count of the love he had for 
Thecla and his desire to marry 
her. 

3 Then Thamyris said, I de- 
sire ye would inform me what 
the doctrines of this Paul are, 
that I may understand them ; for 
I am under no small concern 
about Thecla, seeing she so de- 
lights in that stranger's dis-. 



T 



Paul imprisoned PAUL AND THECLA. Thecla visits Mm. 



courses, that I am in danger of 
losing my intended wife. 

4 ^ Then Demas and Hermo- 
genes answered both together, 
and said, Let him be brought be- 
fore the governor Castellius, as 
one who endeavors to persuade 
the people into the new religion 
of the Christians, and he, accord- 
ing to the order of Caesar, will 
put him to death, by which means 
you will obtain your wife; 

5 While we at the same time 
will teach her, that the resurrec- 
tion which he speaks of is already 
come, and consists in our having 
children ; and that we then arose 
again when we came to the 
knowledge of God. 

6 Thamyris having this ac- 
count from them, was filled with 
hot resentment: 

7 And rising early in the 
morning he went to the house of 
Onesiphorus, attended by the 
magistrates, the jailer, and a 
great multitude of people with 
staves, and said to Paul ; 

8 Thou hast perverted the city 
of Iconium, and among the rest, 
Thecla, who is betrothed to me, 
so that now she will not marry 
me. Thou shalt therefore go with 
us to the governor Castellius. 

9 And all the multitude cried 
out. Away with this impostor 
(magician), for he has perverted 
the minds of our wives, and all 
fhe people hearken to him. 

CHAP. IV. 

I Paul accused before the governor by 
Thamyris. 5 Defends himself ^ Is 
committed to prison^ 10 and visited 
by Thecla. 



y HEN Thamyris standing be- 
A fore the governor's judg- [my crime? 

(106) 



ment-seat, spake with a loud 
voice in the following manner. 

2 O governor, I know not 
whence this man cometh ; but he 
is one who teaches that matri- 
mony is unlawful. Command 
him therefore to declare before 
you for what reason he publishes 
such doctrines. 

3 While he was saying thus, 
Demas and Hermogenes (whis- 
pered to Thamyris, and) said; 
Say that he is a Christian, and he 
will presently be put to death. 

4 But the governor was more 
deliberate, and calling to Paul, 
he said. Who art thou? What 
dost thou teach? They seem to 
lay gross crimes to thy charge. 

5 Paul then spake with a loud 
voice, saying. As I am now called 
to give an account, O governor, 
of my doctrines, I desire your 
audience. 

6 That God, who is a God of 
vengeance, and who stands in 
need of nothing but the salva- 
tion of his creatures, has sent me 
to reclaim them from their wick- 
edness and corruptions, from all 
(sinful) pleasures, and from 
death; and to persuade them to 
sin no more. 

7 On this account, God sent 
his Son Jesus Christ, whom I 
preach, and in whom I instruct 
men to place their hopes, as that 
person who only had such com- 
passion on the deluded world, 
that it might not, O governor, be 
condemned, but have faith, the 
fear of God, the knowledge of 
religion, and the love of truth. 

8 So that if I only teach those 
things which I have received by 
revelation from God, where is 



Thecla miraculously PAUL AND THECLA. saved from burning. 



9 When the governor heard 
this, he ordered Paul to be bound, 
and to be put in prison, till he 
should be more at leisure to hear 
him more fully. 

ID But in the night, Thecla 
taking off her earrings, gave 
them to the turnkey of the 
prison, who then opened the 
doors to her, and let her in ; 

1 1 And when she made a pres- 
ent of a silver looking-glass to 
the jailer, was allowed to go into 
the room where Paul was; then 
she sat down at his feet, and 
heard from him the great things 
of God. 

12 And as she perceived Paul 
not to be afraid of suffering, but 
that by divine assistance he be- 
haved himself with courage, her 
faith so far increased that she 
kissed his chains. 

CHAP. V. 

I Thecla sought and found by her re- 
lations. 4 Brought with Paul before 
the governor. 9 Ordered to be burnt, 
and Paul to be whipt. 15 Thecla mi- 
raculously saved. 

AT length Thecla was missed, 
and sought for by the 
family and by Thamyris in every 
street, as though she had been 
lost; till one of the porter's fel- 
low-servants told them, that she 
had gone out in the night-time. 

2 Then they examined the 
porter, and he told them, that 
she was gone to the prison to 
the strange man. 

3 They went therefore accord- 
ing to his directions, and there 
found her ; and when they came 
out, they got a mob together, 
and went and told the governor 
all that happened. 

4 Upon which he ordered Paul 



(107) 



to be brought before his judg- 
ment-seat. 

5 Thecla in the mean time lay 
wallowing on the ground in the 
prison, in that same place where 
Paul had sat to teach her; upon 
which the governor also ordered 
her to be brought before his 
judgment-seat; which summons 
she received with joy, and went. 

6 When Paul was brought 
thither, the mob with more vehe- 
mence cried out, He is a magi- 
cian, let him die. 

7 Nevertheless the governor 
attended with pleasure upon 
Paul's discourses of the holy 
works of Christ; and, after a 
council called, he summoned 
Thecla, and said to her. Why do 
you not, according to the law of 
the Iconians, marry Thamyris? 

8 She stood still, with her eyes 
fixed upon Paul ; and finding she 
made no reply, Theoclia, her 
mother cried out, saying, Let the 
unjust creature be burnt ; let her 
be burnt in the midst of the 
theatre, for refusing Thamyris, 
that all women may learn from 
her to avoid such practices. 

9 Then the governor was ex- 
ceedingly concerned, and ordered 
Paul to be whipt out of the city, 
and Thecla to be burnt. 

ID So the governor arose, and 
went immediately into the thea- 
tre; and all the people went 
forth to see the dismal sight. 

11 But Thecla, just as a lamb 
in the wilderness looks every 
way to see his shepherd, looked 
around for Paul ; 

12 And as she was looking 
upon the multitude, she saw the 
Lord Jesus in the likeness of 
Paul, and said to herself, Paul is 



Tkecla visits Paul, PAUL AND THECLA. resists Alexander, 



come to see me in my distressed 
circumstances. And she fixed 
her eyes upon him ; but he in- 
stantly ascended up to heaven, 
while she looked on him. 

13 Then the young men and 
women brought wood and straw 
for the burning of Thecla ; who, 
being brought naked to the 
stake, extorted tears from the 
governor, with surprise behold- 
ing the greatness of her beauty. 

14 And when they had placed 
the wood in order, the people 
commanded her to go upon it ; 
which she did, first making the 
sign of the cross. 

15 Then the people set fire to 
the pile ; though the flame was 
exceeding large, it did not touch 
her ; for God took compassion on 
her, and caused a great eruption 
from the earth beneath, and a 
cloud from above to pour down 
great quantities of rain and hail ; 

16 Insomuch that b}^ the rup- 
ture of the earth, very many were 
in great danger, and some were 
killed, the fire was extinguished, 
and Thecla preserved. 

CHAP. VI. 

I Paul with Onesiphorus in a cave. 7 
Thecla discovers Paul; 12 proffers 
to follow him : 13 he exhorts her 
not for fear of fornication. 

IN the mean time Paul, together 
with Onesiphorus, his wife 
and children, was keeping a fast 
in a certain cave, which was in the 
road from Iconium to Daphne. 

2 And when they had fasted 
for several days, the children said 
to Paul, Father, we are hungry, 
and have not wherewithal to buy 
bread ; for Onesiphorus had left 
all his substance to follow Paul 
with his family. 



(108) 



3 Then Paul, taking off his 
coat, said to the boy, Go, child, 
and buy bread, and bring it 
hither. 

4 But while the boy was buy- 
ing the bread, he saw his neighbor 
Thecla, and was surprised, and 
said to her, Thecla, where are 
you going? 

5 She replied, I am in pursuit 
of Paul, having been delivered 
from the flames. 

6 The boy then said, I will 
bring you to him, for he is under 
great concern on your account, 
and has been in prayer and fast- 
ing these six days. 

7 \ When Thecla came to the 
cave, she found Paul upon his 
knees praying and saying, O holy 
Father, O Lord Jesus Christ, 
grant that the fire may not touch 
Thecla ; but be her helper, for 
she is thy servant. 

8 Thecla then standing behind 
him, cried out in the following 
words : O sovereign Lord, Creator 
of heaven and earth, the Father 
of thy beloved and holy Son, I 
praise thee that thou hast pre- 
served me from the fire, to see 
Paul again. 

9 Paul then arose, and when he 
saw her, said, O God, who search- 
est the heart, Father of my Lord 
Jesus Christ, I praise thee that 
thou hast answered my prayer. 

10 T[ And there prevailed 
among them in the cave an entire 
affection to each other ; Paul, 
Onesiphorus, and all that were 
with them being filled with joy. 

1 1 They had five loaves, some 
herbs and water, and they solaced 
each other in reflections upon 
the holy works of Christ. 

12 Then said Thecla to Paul, 



and is thrown 



PAUL AND THECLA. 



to wild beasts. 



If you be pleased with it, I will ] 
follow you whithersoever you go. 

13 He replied to her, Persons 
are now much given to fornica- 
tion, and you being handsome, I 
am afraid lest you should meet 
with greater temptation than the 
former, and should not with- 
stand, but be overcome by it. 

14 Thecla replied. Grant me 
only the seal of Christ, and no 
temptation shall affect me. 

15 Paul answered, Thecla, 
wait with patience, and you shall 
receive the gift of Christ. 

CHAP. VII. 

I Paul and Thecla go to Antioch. 2 
Alexander, a magistrate, falls in love 
with Thecla: 4 kisses her by force : 5 
she resists him: 6 is carried before 
the governor, and condemned to be 
thrown to wild beasts. 

THEN Paul sent back Onesi- 
phorus and his family to 
their own home, and taking 
Thecla along with him, went for 
Antioch ; 

2 And as soon as they came 
into the city, a certain Syrian, 
named Alexander, a magistrate 
in the city, who had done many 
considerable services for the 
city during his magistracy, saw 
Thecla and fell in love with her, 
and endeavored by many rich 
presents to engage Paul in his 
interest. 

3 But Paul told him, I know 
not the woman of w^hom you 
speak, nor does she belong to me. 

4 But he being a person of 
great power in Antioch, seized 
her in the street and kissed her ; 
which Thecla would not bear, 
but looking about for Paul, cried 
out in a distressed loud tone, 
Force me not who am a stranger ; 
force me not, who am a servant of 



(109) 



God; I am one of the principal 
persons of Iconium, and was 
obliged to leave that city because 

1 would not be married to Tha- 
myris. 

5 Then she laid hold on Alex- 
ander, tore his coat, and took his 
crown off his head, and made 
him appear ridiculous before all 
the people. 

6 But Alexander, partly as he 
loved her, and partly being 
ashamed of what had been done, 
led her to the governor, and upon 
her confession of what she had 
done' he condemned her to be 
thrown among the beasts. 

CHAP. VIII. 

2 Thecla e^itertained by Trifina ; 3 
brought out to the wild beasts ; a she- 
lion licks her feet. 5 Trifina upon a 
vision of her deceased daughter, adopts 
Thecla^ 11 who is taken to the atnpi- 
theatre again, 

WHICH when the people saw, 
they said : The judgments 
passed in this city are unjust. 
But Thecla desired the favor of 
the governor, that her chastity 
might not be attacked, but pre- 
served till she should be cast to 
the beasts. 

2 The governor then inquired, 
Who would entertain her; upon 
which a certain very rich widow, 
named Trifina, whose daughter 
was lately dead, desired that she 
might have the keeping of her; 
and she began to treat her in her 
house as her own daugher. 

3 At length a day came, when 
the beasts were to be brought 

^ There being somewhat wanting 
here in the old Greek MS. it is suppHed 
out of the old Latin version, which is 
in the Bodleian Library, Cod. Digb. 
39, rather than out of the Simeon 
Metaphrastes, a writer of the eleventh 
century. 



The beasts refusing PAUL AND THECLA. to destroy Thecla. 



forth to be seen ; and Thecla was 
brought to the amphitheatre, and 
put into a den in which was an 
exceeding fierce she-lion, in the 
presence of a multitude of spec- 
tators. 

4 Trifina, without any sur- 
prise, accompanied Thecla, and 
the she-lion licked the feet of 
Thecla. The title written which 
denotes her crime, was. Sacrilege. 
Then the woman cried out, O 
God, the judgments of this city 
are unrighteous. 

5 After the beasts had been 
shewn, Trifina took Thecla home 
with her, and they went to bed ; 
and behold, the daughter of Tri- 
fina, who was dead, appeared to 
her mother, and said; Mother, 
let the young woman, Thecla, be 
reputed by you as your daughter 
in my stead ; and desire her that 
she should pray for me, that I 
may be translated to a state of 
happiness. 

6 Upon which Trifina, with a 
mournful air, said, My daughter 
Falconilla has appeared to me, 
and ordered me to receive you in 
her room; wherefore I desire, 
Thecla, that you would pray for 
my daughter, that she may be 
translated into a state of happi- 
ness, and to life eternal. 

7 When Thecla heard this, she 
immediately prayed to the Lord, 
and said : O Lord God of heaven 
and earth, Jesus Christ, thou Son 
of the Most High, grant that her 
daughter Falconilla may live 
forever. Trifina hearing this, 
groaned again, and said: O un- 
righteous judgments! O unrea- 
sonable wickedness ! that such a 
creature should (again) be cast 
to the beasts ! 



8 Tf On the morrow, at break 
of day, Alexander came to Tri- 
fina's house, and said : The gov- 
ernor and the people are waiting ; 
bring the criminal forth. 

9 But Trifina ran in so vio- 
lently upon him, that he was 
affrighted, and ran away. Trifina 
was one of the royal family; 
and she thus expressed her sor- 
row, and said: Alas! I have 
trouble in my house on two ac- 
counts, and there is no one who 
will relieve me, either under the 
loss of my daughter, or my being 
unable to save Thecla. But 
now, O Lord God, be thou the 
helper of Thecla thy servant. 

10 While she was thus en- 
gaged, the govenor sent one of 
his own officers to bring Thecla. 
Trifina took her by the hand, 
and, going with her, said : I went 
with Falconilla to her grave, and 
now must go with Thecla to the 
beasts. 

1 1 When Thecla heard this, she 
weeping prayed, and said: O Lord 
God, whom I have made my con- 
fidence and refuge, reward Tri- 
fina for her compassion to me, 
and preserving my chastity. 

12 Upon this there was a great 
noise in the amphitheatre; the 
beasts roared, and the people 
cried out, Bring in the criminal. 

13 But the women cried out, 
and said: Let the whole city 
suffer for such crimes ; and order 
all of us, O governor, to the same 
punishment. O unjust judgment ! 
O cruel sight ! 

14 Others said. Let the whole 
city be destroyed for this vile 
action. Kill us all, O governor, 
O cruel sight! O unrighteous 
judgment. 



(HO) 



SMe is saved 



PAUL AND THECLA. 



and released 



CHAP. IX. 

I Thecla thrown naked to the wild 
beasts ; 2 they alt refuse to attack 
her ; 8 throws herself into a pit of 
water. 10 Other wild beasts refuse 
her. II Tied to wild bulls. Miracu- 
lously saved. 21 Released. 24 En- 
tertai?ied by Trifina. 

THEN Thecla was taken out 
of the hand of Trifina, 
stripped naked, had a girdle put 
on, and thrown into the place 
appointed for fighting with the 
beasts: and the lions and the 
bears were let loose upon her. 

2 But a she-lion, which was 
of all the most fierce, ran to 
Thecla, and fell down at her feet. 
Upon which the multitude of 
women shouted aloud. 

3 Then a she-bear ran fiercely 
towards her; but the she-lion 
met the bear, and tore it to pieces. 

4 Again, a he-lion, who had 
been wont to devour men, and 
which belonged to Alexander, 
ran towards her; but the she- 
lion encountered the he-lion, and 
they killed each other. 

5 Then the women were under 
a greater concern, because the 
she -lion, which had helped 
Thecla, was dead. 

6 Afterwards they brought 
out many other wild beasts ; but 
Thecla stood with her hands 
stretched towards heaven, and 
prayed ; and when she had done 
praying, she turned about, and 
saw a pit of water, and said, Now 
it is a proper time for me to be 
baptized. 

7 Accordingly she threw her- 
self into the water, and said, In 
thy name, O my Lord Jesus 
Christ, I am this last day baptiz- 
ed. The women and the people 
seeing this, cried out, and said. 



Do not throw yourself into the 
water. And the governor him- 
self cried out, to think that the 
fish (sea-calves) were like to de- 
vour so much beauty. 

8 T Nothwithstanding all this, 
Thecla threw herself into the 
water, in the name of our Lord 
Jesus Christ. 

9 But the fish (sea-calves), 
when they saw the lightning and 
fire, were killed, and swam dead 
upon the surface of the water, 
and a cloud of fire surrounded 
Thecla, so that as the beasts could 
not come near her, so the people 
could not see her nakedness. 

10 Yet they turned other wild 
beasts upon her; upon which 
they made a very mournful out- 
cry ; and some of them scattered 
spikenard, others cassia, others 
amomus (a sort of spikenard, or 
the herb of Jerusalem, or ladies- 
rose) others ointment; vSo that 
the quantity of ointment was 
large, in proportion to the number 
of people ; and upon this all the 
beasts lay as though they had 
been fast asleep, and did not 
touch Thecla. 

11 Whereupon Alexander said 
to the governor, I have some 
very terrible bulls; let us bind 
her to them. To which the 
governor, with concern, replied, 
you may do what you think fit. 

1 2 Then they put a cord round 
Thecla's waist, which bound also 
her feet, and which it tied her to 
the bulls, to whose privy -parts 
they applied red-hot irons, that 
so they being the more torment- 
ed, might more violently drag 
Thecla about, till they had killed 
her. 

13 The bulls accordingly tore 



Cm) 



Thecla accompanies PAUL AND THECLA. 



Trifina^ 



about, making a most hideous 
noise ; but the flame which was 
about Thecla, burnt off the cords 
which were fastened to the mem- 
bers of the bulls, and she stood 
in the middle of the stage, as un- 
concerned as if she had not been 
bound. 

14 But in the mean time 
Trifina, who sat upon one of the 
benches, fainted away and died ; 
upon which the whole city was 
under a very great concern. 

1 5 And Alexander himself was 
afraid, and desired the governor, 
saying : I intreat you, take com- 
passion on me and the city, and 
release this woman, who has 
fought with the beasts ; lest both 
you and I, and the whole city, 
be destroyed. 

16 For if Caesar should have 
any account of what has passed 
now, he will certainly immediate- 
ly destroy the city, because 
Trifina, a person of royal extract, 
and a relation of his, is dead 
upon her seat. 

17 Upon this the governor 
called Thecla from among the 
beasts to him, and said to her. 
Who art thou ? and what are thy 
circumstances, that not one of 
the beasts will touch thee? 

18 Thecla replied to him; I 
am a servant of the living God ; 
and as to my state, I am a believer 
on Jesus Christ his Son, in whom 
God is well pleased ; and for that 
reason none of the beasts could 
touch me. 

19 He alone is the way to 
eternal salvation, and the foun- 
dation of eternal life. He is a 
refuge to those who are in dis- 
tress ; a support to the afflicted, 
hope and defence to those who 



are hopeless ; and, in a word, all 
those who do not believe on him, 
shall not live, but suffer eternal 
death. 

20 *f When the governor heard 
these things, he ordered her 
clothes to be brought, and said 
to her, Put on your clothes. 

21 Thecla replied: May that 
God who clothed me when I w^as 
naked among the beats, in the 
day of judgment clothe your 
soul with the robe of salvation. 
Then she took her clothes, and 
put them on ; and the governor 
immediately published an order 
in these words : I release to you 
Thecla the servant of God. 

22 Upon which the women 
cried out together with a loud 
voice, and with one accord gave 
praise unto God, and said ; There 
is but one God, who is the God 
of Thecla; the one God who 
hath delivered Thecla. 

23 So loud were their voices 
that the whole city seemed to 
be shaken; and Trifina herself 
heard the glad tidings, and arose 
again, and ran with the multitude 
to meet Thecla; and embracing 
her, said: Now I believe there 
shall be a resurrection of the 
dead; now I am persuaded that 
my daughter is alive. Come 
therefore home with me, my 
daughter Thecla, and I will make 
over all that I have to you. 

24 So Thecla went with Tri- 
fina, and was entertained there a 
few days, teaching her the word 
of the Lord, whereby many 
young women were converted; 
and there was great joy in the 
family of Trifina. 

25 But Thecla longed to see 
Paul, and inquired and sent every 



(112) 



visits Pauly 



PAUL AND THECLA. and her mother. 



where to find him ; and when at 
length she was informed that he 
was at Myra, in Lycia, she took 
with her many young men and 
women ; and putting on a girdle, 
and dressing herself in the habit 
of a man, she went to him to 
Myra in Lycia, and there found 
Paul preaching the word of God ; 
and she stood by him among 
the throng. 

CHAP. X. 

I Thecla visits Paul. 6 visits Onesi- 
phorus. 8 visits hermother. 9 who 
repulses her. 12 Is tempted by the 
devil. Works rniracles. 

BUT it was no small surprise 
to Paul when he saw her 
and the people with her ; for he 
imagined some fresh trial was 
coming upon them ; 

2 Which when Thecla perceiv- 
ed, she said to him : I have been 
baptized, O Paul; for he who 
assists you in preaching, has as- 
sisted me to baptize. 

3 Then Paul took her, and led 
her to the house of Hermes ; and 
Thecla related to Paul all that 
had befallen her in Antioch, in- 
somuch that Paul exceedingly 
wondered, and all who heard 
were confirmed in the faith, and 
prayed for Trifina's happiness. 

4 Then Thecla arose, and said 
to Paul, I am going to Iconium. 
Paul replied to her: Go, and 
teach the word of the Lord. 

5 But Trifina had sent large 
sums of money to Paul, and also 
clothing by the hands of Thecla, 
for the relief of the poor. 

6 T[ So Thecla went to Icon- 
ium. And when she came to the 
house of Onesiphorus, she fell 
down upon the floor where Paul 
had sat and preached, and, mix- 

(I 



ing tears with her prayers, she 
praised and glorified God in the 
following words : 

7 O Lord the God of this 
house, in which I was first en- 
lightened by thee ; O Jesus, son 
of the living God, who wast my 
helper before the governor, my 
helper in the fire, and my helper 
among the beasts ; thou alone art 
God for ever and ever. Amen. 

8 T Thecla now (on her re- 
turn) found Thamyris dead, but 
her mother living. So calling 
her mother, she said to her: 
Theoclia, my mother, is it possi- 
ble for you to be brought to a 
belief, that there is but one Lord 
God, who dwells in the heavens ? 
If you desire great riches, God 
will give them to you by me; if 
you want your daughter again, 
here I am. 

9 These and many other things 
she represented to her mother, 
(end eavoring) to persuade her 
(to her own opinion). But her 
mother Theoclia gave no credit 
to the things which were said by 
the martyr Thecla. 

10 So that Thecla perceiving 
she discoursed to no purpose, 
signing her whole body with the 
sign (of the cross), left the house 
and went to Daphne ; and when 
she came there, she went to the 
cave, where she had found Paul 
with Onesiphorus, and fell down 
upon the ground ; and wept be- 
fore God. 

1 1 When she departed thence, 
she went to Seleucia, and enlight- 
ened many in the knowledge of 
Christ. 

1 2 Tf And a bright cloud con- 
ducted her in her journey. 

13 And after she had arrived 
13) 



JVorks miracles, PAUL AND THECLA. Escapes defilement 



at Seleucia she went to a place 
out of the city, about the distance 
of a furlong, being afraid of the 
inhabitants, because they were 
worshippers of idols. 

14 And she was led (by the 
cloud) into a mountain called 
Calamon, or Rodeon. There she 
abode many years, and under- 
went a great many grievous 
temptations of the devil, which 
she bore in a becoming manner, 
by the assistance which she had 
from Christ. 

15 At length certain gentle- 
women hearing of the virgin 
Thecla, went to her, and were in- 
structed by her in the oracles of 
God, and many of them abandon- 
ed this world, and led a monastic 
life with her. 

16 Hereby a good report was 
spread every where of Thecla, 
and she wrought several (mirac- 
ulous) cures, so that all the city 
and adjacent countries brought 
their sick to that mountain, and 
before they came as far as the 
door of the cave, they were in- 
stantly cured of whatsoever dis- 
temper they had. 

17 The unclean spirits were 
cast out, making a noise ; all re- 
ceived their sick made whole, 
and glorified God, who had be- 
stowed such power on the virgin 
Thecla ; 

18 Insomuch that the physi- 
cians of Seleucia were now of no 
more account, and lost all the 
profit of their trade, because no 
one regarded them ; upon which 
they were filled with envy, and 
began to contrive what methods 
to take with this servant of 
Christ 

(I 



CHAP. XI. 

I Is attempted to be ravished, 12 «- 
capes by a rock opening y 17 and 
closing miraculously. 

THE devil then suggested bad 
advice to their minds ; and 
being on a certain day met to- 
gether to consult, they reasoned 
among each other thus : The vir- 
gin is a priestess of the great 
goddess Diana, and whatsoever 
she requests from her, is granted, 
because she is a virgin, and so is 
beloved by all the gods. 

2 Now then let us procure 
some rakish fellows, and after 
we have made them sufficiently 
drunk, and given them a good 
sum of money, let us order them 
to go and debauch this virgin, 
promising them, if they do it, a 
larger reward. 

3 (For they thus concluded 
among themselves, that if they 
be able to debauch her, the gods 
will no more regard her nor 
Diana cure the sick for her.) 

4 They proceeded according 
to this resolution, and the fellows 
went to the mountain, and as 
fierce as lions to the cave, knock- 
ing at the door. 

5 The holy martyr Thecla, re- 
lying upon the God in whom 
she believed, opened the door, 
although she was before appriz- 
ed of their design, and said to 
them, Young men, what is your 
business ? 

6 They replied. Is there any 
one within, whose name is Thec- 
la ? She answered, What would 
you have with her ? They said. 
We have a mind to lie with her. 

7 The blessed Thecla answer- 
ed: Though I am a mean old 

14) 



PAUL AND THECLA. 



woman, I am the servant of my 
Lord Jesus Christ ; and though 
you have a vile design against 
me, ye shall not be able to ac- 
complish it. They replied: It 
is impossible but we must be 
able to do with you what we 
have a mind. 

8 And while they were saying 
this, they laid hold on her by 
main force, and would have rav- 
ished her. Then she with the 
(greatest) mildness said to them: 
Young men have patience, and 
see the glory of the Lord. 

9 And while they held her, 
she looked up to heaven and 
said: O God most reverend, to 
whom none can be likened ; who 
makest thyself glorious over 
thine enemies ; who didst deliver 
me from the fire, and didst not 
give me up to Thamyris, didst 
not give me up to Alexander; 
who deliveredst me from the wild 
beasts ; who didst preserve me in 
the deep waters ; who hast every 
where been my helper, and hast ■ 
glorified thy name in me ; | 

ID Now also deliver me from 
the hands of these wicked and 
unreasonable men, nor suffer 
them to debauch my chastity 
which I have hitherto preserved 
for thy honor ; for I love thee, 
and long for thee, and worship 
thee, O Father, Son, and Holy 
Ghost, for evermore. Amen. j 

1 1 Then came a voice from 
heaven, saying. Fear not, Thecla, 
my faithful servant, for I am 
with thee. Look and see the 
place which is opened for thee : 
there thy eternal abode shalt 

(I 



be ; there thou shalt receive the 
(beatific) vision. 

1 2 The blessed Thecla observ- 
ing, saw the rock opened to as 
large a degree as that a man 
might enter in ; she did as she 
was commanded, bravely fled 
from the vile crew, and went into 
the rock, which instantly so 
closed, that there was not any 
crack visible where it had 
opened. 

13 The men stood perfectly 
astonished at so prodigious a 
miracle, and had no power to 
detain the servant of God ; but 
only, catching hold of her veil, 
(or hood) they tore off a piece 
of it; 

14 And even that was by the 
permission of God, for the con- 
firmation of their faith, who 
should come to see this venerable 
place, and to convey blessings to 
those in succeeding ages, who 
should believe on our Lord Jesus 
Christ from a pure heart. 

15 Thus suffered that first 
martyr and apostle of God, and 
virgin, Thecla; who came from 
Iconium at eighteen years of 
age; afterwards partly in jour- 
neys and travels, and partly in 
a monastic life in the cave, she 
lived seventy -two years ; so that 
she was ninety years old when 
the Lord translated her. 

16 Thus ends her life. 

17 The day which is kept 
sacred to her memory, is the 
twenty-fourth of September, to 
the glory of the Father, and the 
Son, and the Holy Ghost, now 
and for evermore. Amen. 

15) 



The FIRST EPISTLE of CLEMENT to the CORINTHIANa 

[Clement was a disciple of Peter, and afterwards Bishop of Rome. Clemens 
Alexandrinus calls him an apostle. Jerome says he was an apostolical 
man, and Rufinus that he was almost an apostle. Eusebius calls this the 
wonderful Epistle of St. Clement, and says that it was publicly read in 
the assemblies of the primitive church. It is included in one of the an- 
cient collections of the Canon Scripture. Its genuineness has been much 
questioned, particularly by Photius, patriarch of Constantinople in the 
ninth century, who objects that Clement speaks of worlds beyond the 
ocean : that he has not written worthily of the divinity of Christ ; and 
that to prove the possibility of a future resurrection, he introduces the 
fabulous story of the phoenix's revival from its own ashes. To the latter 
objection. Archbishop Wake replies that the generality of the ancient 
Fathers have made use of the same instance in proof of the same point ; 
and asks if St. Clement really believed that there was such a bird, and 
that it did revive out of the cinders of the body after burning, where was 
the great harm either in giving credit to such a wonder, or, believing it, 
to make such a use as he here does of it ? — The present is the Archbish- 
op's translation from the ancient Greek copy of the Epistle, which is at 
the end of the celebrated Alexandrine MS. of the Septuagint and New 
Testament, presented by Cyril, patriarch of Alexandria, to King Charles 
the First, now in the British Museum. The Archbishop, in prefacing his 
translation, esteems it a great blessing that this " Epistle " was at last so 
happily found out, for the increase and confirmation both of our faith 
and our charity.] 



CHAP. I. 

He commends them, for their excellent 
order and piety in Christy before 
their schism, broke out. 

THE Church of God which 
^ is at Rome, to the Church 
of God which is at Corinth, 
' elect, sanctified ^ by the will of 
God, through Jesus Christ our 
Lord : grace and peace from the 
Almighty God, by Jesus Christ, 
be multiplied unto you.* 

2 "If Brethren, the ^ sudden and 
unexpected dangers and calami- 
ties that have fallen upon us, 
have, we fear, made us the more 
slow in our consideration of 
those things which you inquired 
of us : 

3 ® As also of that wicked and 
detestable sedition, so unbecom- 

^Sojourneth. * Called. See Ham- 
mond on Matt. XX. c. ^ Or. in. ^See 
Bp. Pearson's note on this place. Ed. 
Colomesii, p. 2. ''Ibid. *And. 



ing * the elect of God, which a 
few heady and self-willed men 
have fomented to such a degree 
of madness, that your venerable 
and renowned name, so worthy 
of all men to be beloved, is 
greatly blasphemed thereby. 

4 For that who has ^ ever been 
among you has not experimented 
the firmness of your faith, ^ and 
its f ruitf ulness in all good works ; 
and admired the temper and 
moderation of your religion in 
Christ ; and published abroad the 
magnificence of your hospitality ; 
and thought you happy in your 
perfect and certain knowledge of 
the Gospel? 

5 For ye did all things without 
respects of persons, and walked 
^ according to the laws of God ; 
being subject to those who had 

^ Gr. Strange to. ^ Gr. Lodged as a 
stranger. ' Adorned with all manner 
of virtues. *In. 
(Ii6) 



How the divisions 



I. CLEMENT. in the ckmck began. 



the rule over you, and giving the 
honor that was fitting to the 
^ aged among you. 

6 Ye commanded the young 
men to think those things that 
were modest and grave. 

7 The women ye exhorted to 
do all things with an unblame- 
able, and seemly, and pure con- 
science; loving their own hus- 
bands, as was fitting: and that 
keeping themselves within the 
'■' bounds of a due obedience, they 
should ^ order their houses grave- 
ly, with all * discretion. 

8 " Ye were all of you humble 
minded, not " boasting of any 
thing : desiring rather to be sub- 
ject than to govern; to 'give 
than to receive; being ** content 
with the portion God hath dis- 
pensed to you : 

9 And hearkening diligently 
to his word, ye ^ were enlarged 
in your bowels, having his '"suf- 
ferings always before your 
eyes. 

10 Thus a firm, and " blessed 
and profitable peace was given 
unto you ; and an unsatiable de- 
sire of doing good ; and a plenti- 
ful effusion of the Holy Ghost 
was upon all of you. 

11 And being full of "good 
designs, ye did with "great 
readiness of mind, and with a 
religious confidence stretch forth 
your hands to God Almighty; be- 
seeching him to be merciful unto 

* Presbyters, -^ Canon, rule. ^ Them- 
selves do their own business. Vid. 
Not Junii in loc. * Temperance, so- 
briety. MPet. V. 5. « Proud. ' AAs, 
XX. 35. ^ITim. vi. 8. ® Embraced it 
in your very bowels. ^^ -Kadrnxara. See 
Dr Grabe's Addit. to Bp. Bull's Def. 
fid. Nic. p. 60, 61. ^^ Gr. yinapa. 
"Holy counsel, or purpose, or will. 
" Gr. good. 



(117) 



you, if in any thing ye had un- 
willingly sinned against him. 

1 2 Ye contended day and night 
for the whole brotherhood ; that 
^ with compassion and a good 
conscience, the number of his 
elect might be saved. 

13 Ye were sincere, and with- 
out offence towards each other; 
not mindful of injuries; all sedi- 
tion and schism was an abomina- 
tion unto you. 

14 Ye bewailed every one 
his neighbor's sins, esteeming 
their defects your own. 

15 Ye ^were kind one to an- 
other without grudging ; being 
ready to every good work. And 
being adorned with a conversa- 
tion altogether virtuous and re- 
ligious, ye did all things in the 
fear of God ; whose ^ command- 
ments were written upon the 
tables of your heart. 

CHAP. II. 

How their divisions began. 

AlA. honor and enlargement 
was given unto you; and 
so was fulfilled that which is 
written, * my beloved did eat and 
drink, he was enlarged and 
w^axed fat, and he kicked. 

2 From hence came emula- 
tion, and envy, and strife, and 
sedition; persecution and Mis- 
order, war and captivity. 

3 So they who were of no re- 
nown, lifted up themselves 
against the honorable ; those of 
no reputation, against those who 
were in respect ; the foolish 
against the wise ; the young men 
against the aged. 

^ With mercy and conscience. * Ye 
were without repentance in all well-do- 
ing. Titus, iii. 1. ^ Prov. vii. 3. * Deut 
xxxii. 15. ^Confusion, tumults, &c. 



Th^y were caused by 



I. CLEMENT. 



envy and emulation. 



4 Therefore righteousness and 
peace are departed from you, be- 
cause every one hath foresaken 
the fear of God; and is grown 
blind in his faith ; nor walketh 
by the rule of God's command- 
ments nor liveth as is fitting in 
Christ: 

5 But every one ^ follows his 
own wicked lusts : having taken 
up an unjust and wicked envy, 
by which death first entered into 
the world. 

CHAP III. 

Envy and emulation the original of 
all strife and disorder. Examples 
of the mischiefs they have occasioned. 

FOR thus it is written, ' And 
in process of time it came 
to pass, that Cain brought of the 
fruit of the ground an offering 
unto the Lord. And Abel, he 
also brought of the firstlings of 
his flock, and of the fat thereof : 

2 And the Lord had respect 
unto Abel, and to his offering. 
But unto Cain and unto his offer- 
ing he had not respect. And 
Cain was very sorrowful, and 
his countenance fell. 

3 And the Lord said unto 
Cain, Why art thou sorrowful? 
And why is thy countenance 
fallen? 'If thou shalt offer 
aright, but not divide aright, 
hast thou not sinned ? Hold thy 
peace: unto thee shall be his 
Mesire, and thou shalt rule over 
him. 

4 And Cain said to Abel, his 
brother, Let us go down into the 
field. And it came to pass, as 
they were in the field, that Cain 

* Walketh after. * Gen, iv. 3. 
&c. *This is according to the lxx. 
♦'Aa-oor^^f, conversion. 



(118) 



rose up against Abel his brother, 
and slew him. 

5 Ye see, brethren, how envy 
and emulation wrought 'the 
death of a brother. For 'this 
our father ' Jacob fled from the 
face of his brother Esau. 

6 It was this that caused * Jo- 
seph to be persecuted even unto 
death, and to come into bondage. 
Envy forced " Moses to flee from 
the face of Pharaoh king of 
Egypt, when he heard his own 
countryman ask him," Who made 
thee a Judge and a ruler over 
us ? Wilt thou kill me as thou 
didst the Egyptian yesterday ? 

7 Through envy Aaron and 
Miriam were ^shut out of the 
camp, from the rest of the con- 
gregation seven days. 

8 "Emulation 'sent Dathan 
and Abiram quick into the ^''grave 
because they raised up a sedi- 
tion against Moses the servant 
of God. 

9 For this David '* was not 
only hated of strangers, but was 
persecuted even by Saul the king 
of Israel. 

10 But "not to insist upon 
antient examples, let us come to 
those "worthies that have been 
nearest to us ; and take the brave 
examples of our own age. 

11 Through zeal and envy, 
" the most faithful and righteous 
'^pillars of the church have been 
persecuted even to the most 
grievous deaths. 

' Fratricide. * Envy. * Gen. xxviii. 
^Gen. xxxvii. * Exodus ii. 15. *Ex- 
od. ii. 14. ' Made to lodge out. * Num. 
xii. 14, 15. » Brought. '" Hades. 
" Had, or underwent the hatred, not 
only, &c. ^^ To cease from. ^^ Com- 
batants, wrestlers. '** The faithful and 
most righteous. '' Good. 



Exhorts them to live 



I. CLEMENT. 



orderly and repent. 



12 Let us set before our eyes, 
the holy Apostles ; Peter by un- 
just envy underwent not one or 
two, but many ^ sufferings ; "" till 
at last being martyred, he went 
to the place of glory that was 
due unto him. 

13 ^ For the same cause did 
Paul in like manner receive the 
reward of his patience. Seven 
times " he was in bonds ; he was 
whipped, was stoned ; he preach- 
ed both in the East and in the 
West ; ^ leaving behind him the 
glorious report of his faith : 

14 And so having taught the 
whole world righteousness, and 
for that end traveled even to the 
utmost bounds of the West ; he 
at last suffered martyrdom ^by 
the command of the governors, 

15 And departed out of the 
world, and went unto his holy 
place; being become a most 
eminent pattern of patience unto 
all ages. 

16 To these 'Holy Apostles 
were joined a very great number 
of others, who having through 
envy undergone in like manner 
many pains and torments, have 

* left a glorious example to us. 

17 For 'this not only men, 
but women have been persecuted ; 
" and having suffered very griev- 
ous and '^ cruel punishments, 
have finished the course of their 
faith with firmness ; and though 
weak in body, yet received a 
glorious reward. 

* Labors. ^And so. 'By envy. 

* Having borne seven times bonds, &c. 
' He received the, &c. ^ Vid. Pearson 
de Success, c. viii. § 9. ' Men who 
have lived godly, is gathered together. 

* Become an excellent example among 
us. ^Envy. *°Thenamesof Danae and 
Dirce I omit. — See Junius Annot. in 
loc. " Cursed afflictions or torments. 

(I 



18 ^ This has alienated the 
minds even of women from their 
husbands; and changed what 
was once said by our father 
Adam; ^This is now bone of 
my bone, and flesh of my flesh. 

19 In a word, envy and strife, 
have overturned ^ whole cities, 
and rooted out great nations 
from off the earth. 

CHAP, IV. 

I He exhorts them to live by the rules y 
and repent of their divisions^ ana 
they shall be forgiven. 

T^HESE things, beloved, we 
A * write unto you, not only 
^ for your instruction, but also 
for our own remembrance. 

2 For we are all in the same 
Mists, and the same combat is 
' prepared for us all. 

3 Wherefore let us lay aside 
all vain and empty cares ; and let 
us come up to the glorious and 
venerable rule of our holy call- 
ing. 

4 *Let us consider what is 
good, and acceptable and well- 
pleasing in the sight of him that 
made us. 

5 Let us look steadfastly to 
the blood of Christ, and see how 
precious his blood is in the sight 
of God : which being shed for 
our salvation, ^ has obtained the 
grace of repentance for all the 
world. 

6 Let us " search into all the 
ages that have gone before us ; 
and let us learn that our Lord 
has " in every one of them still 

'Envy or emulation. *Gen. ii. 23. 
^ Great. * End. ' Instructing you, but 
also remembering, &c. * Place of en- 
counter. ' Imposed upon us all. '^ i 
Tim. v. 4. ^Afforded or given to. 
^" Look diligently to. " From age 
to age. 
«9) 



He sets before them I. CLEMENT. examples of holy men. 



given place for repentance to all 
such as would ^ turn to him. 

7 'Noah preached repentance ; 
and as many as hearkened to 
him were saved. ^ Jonah de- 
nounced destruction against the 
Ninevites : 

8 Howbeit they repenting of 
their sins, appeased God by 
their prayers : and * were saved, 
though they were strangers to 
the covenant of God. 

9 Tf Hence we find how all 
the ministers of the grace of God 
have spoken by the Holy Spirit 
of repentance. And even the 
Lord of all, has himself ^ declared 
with an oath concerning it ; 

10 'As I live, saith the Lord, 
I desire not the death of a sinner, 
' but that he should repent. Add- 
ing farther this good sentence 
saying: *Turn from your iniq- 
uity O house of Israel. 

11 "Say unto the children of 
my people, though your sins 
should reach from earth to heav- 
en; and though they shall be 
redder than scarlet, and blacker 
than sackcloth: yet if ye shall 
turn to me with all your heart, 
and shall call me father, I will 
hearken to you, as to a holy 
people. 

12 And in another place he 
saith on this wise: '"wash ye, 
make you clean; put away "the 
evil of your doings from before 
mine eyes ; cease to do evil, learn 
to do well; seek judgment, 
relieve the oppressed, judge 

^ Be turned. '^ 2 Peter, ii. 5 ; Genesis 
vii. ^ John, iii. "* Received salvation. 
•Spoken. 'Ezekiel, xxxiii. 11. 'So 
much as his repentance. ® Rei^ent 
from. ® Ezekiel, xviii. 30, 23 ; Isaiah, 
i. : Jeremiah, iii. 4, 19. *® Isaiah, i. 
16. " Evil from your souls. 



the fatherless, plead for the 
widow. 

13 Come now and let us reason 
together, saith the Lord : though 
your sins be as scarlet, they shall 
be as white as snow; though 
they be red as crimson, 'they 
shall be as wool. 

14 If ye be willing and obe- 
dient ye shall eat the good of the 
land : but, if ye refuse and rebel, 
ye shall be devoured with the 
sword ; for the mouth of the 
Lord hath spoken it. 

15 These things has God es- 
tablished by his Almighty will, 
desiring that all his beloved 
should come to repentance. 

CHAP. V. 

I He sets before them the examples of 
holy m.en, whose piety is recorded 
in the Scriptures. 

WHEREFORE let us obey 
his excellent and glorious 
will ; and '^ imploring his mercy 
and goodness, let us fall down 
upon our faces before him, and 
^ cast ourselves upon his mercy ; 
laying aside all * vanity, and con- 
tention, and envy which leads 
unto death. 

2 Let us look up to those who 
have the most perfectly minis- 
tered to his excellent glory. Let 
us take Enoch for our example; 
who being found righteous in 
obedience, was "translated, and 
his death was not ' known. 

3 Noah 'being proved to be 
faithful, did by his Ti^inistry 
preach " regeneration to the 
world; and the Lord saved by 

* I will make them as wool. ' Be- 
coming suppliants of, &c. ' Turn our- 
selves to his mercy. * Vain labor. 
* Gen. V. 24. • Found. ' Being found. 
*Gen. vi. vii.» viii. 



(lao) 



Examples eminent 



I. CLEMENT, for kindness and charity. 



him all the living creatures, that 
went ' with one accord into the 
ark. 

4 'Abraham, who was called 
God's friend, was in like manner 
found faithful ; in as much as he 
obeyed the ^ commands of God. 

5 By obedience * he went out 
of his own country, and from 
his own kindred, and from his 
father's house ; that so forsaking 
a small country, and a weak affin- 
ity, and a little house, he might 
inherit the promises of God. 

6 For thus God said unto him ; 
*get thee out of thy country, 
and from thy kindred, and from 
thy father's house, unto a land 
that I will show thee. 

7 And I will make thee a great 
nation, and will bless thee, and 
make thy name great, and thou 
shalt be blessed. And I will 
bless them that bless thee, and 
curse them them that curse thee ; 
and in thee shall all families of 
the earth be blessed. 

8 And again when he sepa- 
rated himself from Lot, God said 
unto him ; *' Lift up now thine 
eyes, and look from the place 
where thou art northward and 
southward and eastward and 
' westward for all the land which 
thou seest, to thee will I give it, 
and to thy seed for ever. 

9 And I will make thy seed as 
the dust of the earth, so that if 
a man can number the dust of 
the earth, then shall thy seed 
also be numbered. 

10 And again he saith: and 

•God brought forth Abraham, 

and said unto him ; look now to- 

Hn unity. ^ James, ii. 23; Isaiah, 
xli. 8. 'Words. * This man. »Gen. 
xii. I. ^Gen. xiii. 14. 'Towards the 
sea. « Gen. xv. 5. 



(121) 



ward heaven, and tell the stars, 
if thou be able to number them : 
so shall thy seed be. 

11 And Abraham believed 
God, and it was counted to him 
for righteousness. 

12 Through faith and hospi- 
tality, * he had a son given him 
in his old age ; and through obe- 
dience he offered him up in sac- 
rifice to God, upon one of the 
mountains which God showed 
unto him. 

CHAP. VI. 

I And particularly such as have been 
eminent for their kindness and char- 
ity to their neighbors. 

BY 'hospitality and godliness 
was Lot saved out of Sodom, 
when all the country round 
about was ' destroyed by fire and 
brimstone : 

2 The Lord thereby making 
it manifest, that he will not for- 
sake those that trust in him ; but 
*will bring the disobedient to 
punishment and correction. 

3 For his wife who went out 
with him, being of a different 
mind, ^ and not continuing in the 
same obedience, was for that 
reason ^ set forth for an example, 
being turned into a pillar of salt 
unto this day. 

4 That so all men may know, 
that those who are double mind- 
ed, and distrustful of the power 
of God, are ^prepared for con- 
demnation, and to be a sign to 
all succeeding ages. 

5 ''By faith and hospitality 
was Rahab the harlot saved. 

' A son was given unto him. ' Gen. 
xix. 2 ; Peter, ii. 6 ; Jude, 7. ^See Not. 
Junii in loc. or punished with. * But 
those that turn another way, he puts, 
&c. * Not in concord. • Put for a 
sign. 'Become. 'Jos. ii. i, &c. 



IVkai rules are given I. CLEMENT. 



for this purpose. 



For when the spies were sent by 
Joshua, the son of Nun, to search 
out Jericho, and the king of Jer- 
icho knew that they were come 
to spy out his country ; ' he sent 
men to take them, so that they 
might be put to death. 

6 ^ Rahab therefore, being 
hospitable, received them, and 
hid them under the stalks of 
flax, on the top of her house. 

7 And when the ^ messengers 
that were sent by the king came 
unto her, and asked her, saying, 

* There came men unto thee to 
spy out the land, bring them 
forth, for so hath the king com- 
manded : She answered, ^ The 
two men whom ye seek came 
unto me, but presently they de- 
parted, and are gone: ^Not dis- 
covering them unto them. 

8 Then she said to the ^ spies, 

* I know that the Lord your God 
® has given this city into your 
hands; for the fear of you is 
fallen upon all that dwell there- 
in. When, therefore, ye shall 
have taken it '" ye shall save me 
and my father's house. 

9 And they answered her, say- 
ing, It shall be as thou hast 
spoken unto us. " Therefore, 
when thou shalt know that we 
are near, thou shalt gather all thy 
family together upon the house- 
top, and they shall be saved : but 
all that shall be found without 
thy house, shall be destroyed. 

10 '"And they gave her more- 

^ He sent men that should take them, 
that being taken, &c. ^ Therefore 
hospitable Rahab. ^Men being sent 
by the king, and saying. "^Jos. ii. 3. 
^Ibid. 4, 5. ^Vid. Conjectur. Coteler. 
in loc. ''Men. ^Jos. ii. 9. ^ Given 
you this city. ^° Jos. ii. 13. " Ibid. 18, 
19. "Ibid. 18. 



(laa) 



over a sign: that she should 
hang out of her house a scarlet 
rope ; ' shewing thereby, that by 
the blood of our Lord, there 
should be redemption to all that 
believe and hope in God. Ye 
see, beloved, how there was not 
only faith, but prophesy too, in 
this woman. 

CHAP. VIL 

I What rules are given for this purpose. 

LET us, therefore, humble our- 
selves, brethren, laying aside 
all pride, and boasting, and fool- 
ishness, and anger: And let us 
do as it is written. 

2 For thus saith the Holy 
Spirit; ^Let not the wise man 
glory in his wisdom, nor the 
strong man in his strength, nor 
the rich man in his riches ; but let 
him that glorieth, glory in the 
Lord, to seek him, and to do 
judgment and justice. 

3 Above all, remembering the 
words of the Lord Jesus, which 
he spake ^ concerning equity and 
long suffering, * saying, 

4 ' Be ye merciful and ye shall 
obtain mercy ; forgive, and ye 
shall be forgiven: as ye do, so 
shall it be done unto you ; as ye 
give, so shall it be given unto 
you; as ye judge, so shall ye be 
judged ; as ye are kind to others, 
so shall God be kind to you: 
with what measure ye mete, with 
the same shall it be measured to 
you again. 

5 By this command, and by 
these rules, let us establish our- 
selves, that so we may always 

^ Many of the Fathers have applied 
this to the same purpose.— See not. 
Coteler. in loc. * Jer. ix. 23. Comp. 2 
Cor. xi. 31. 3 Teaching us. * For thus 
he saith. ' Luke, vi. 35. 



He advises them 



I. CLEMENT. 



to be humble. 



walk obediently to his holy 
words ; being humble minded : 

6 For so says ' the Holy Scrip- 
ture ; ^ upon whom shall I look, 
even upon him that is poor and 
of a contrite spirit, and that 
trembles at my word. 

7 •][ It is, therefore, just and 
'righteous, men and brethren, 
that we should become obedient 
unto God, rather than follow such 
as ' through pride and sedition, 
have made themselves the ring- 
leaders of a detestable emulation. 

8 For it is not an ordinary 
harm that we shall do ourselves, 
but rather a very great danger 
that we shall run, if we shall rash- 
ly give up ourselves to the wills 
of men, who ^ promote strife and 
seditions, to turn us aside from 
that which is fitting. 

9 But let us be kind to one an- 
other, according to the compas- 
sion and sweetness of him that 
made us. 

ID For it is written, ^ The 
merciful shall inherit the earth ; 
and they that are without evil 
shall be left upon it : ' but the 
transgressors shall perish from 
off the face of it. 

1 1 And again he saith, ® I have 
seen the wicked in great power, 
and spreading himself like the 
cedar of Libanus. I passed by, 
and lo ! he was not ; I sought his 
place, but it could not be found. 

12 Keep innocently, and do 
the thing that is right, for there 
shall be a remnant to the peace- 
able man. 

13 Let us therefore hold fast 

* Holy Word, ^ Isaiah, Ixvi. 2. 
^ Holy. * In. ^ Prick on to. — See Jun- 
ius Ann. * Psalm xxxvii. 9. ' Pro v. 
ii. lo, * Psalm xxxvii. 36. 



to those who ' religiously follow 
peace ; and not to such as '^ only 
pretend to desire. 

14 For he saith in a certain 
place, '' This people honoreth me 
with their lips, but their heart is 
far from me. 

15 And again. They * bless 
with their mouths, ' but curse in 
their hearts. 

16 And again he saith, ^ They 
loved him with their mouths, 
and with their tongues they lied 
to him. For their heart was not 
right with him, neither were 
they faithful in his covenant. 

17 'Let all deceitful lips be- 
come dumb, and the tongue that 
speaketh proud things. Who 
have said, ^ with our tongue will 
we prevail ; our lips are our own, 
who is Lord over us. 

18 For the oppression of the 
poor, for the sighing of the 
needy, now will I arise saith the 
Lord ; I will set him in safety, I 
will deal confidently with him. 

CHAP. VIII. 

He advises them to be humble ; and 
that from the exam^ples of Jesus and 
of holy men in all ages. 

FOR Christ is theirs who are 
humble, and not who exalt 
themselves over his flock. The 
sceptre of the majesty of God, 
our Lord Jesus Christ, came not 
in the " shew of pride and arro- 
gance, ^° though he could have 
done so; but with humility as 
the Holy Ghost had before 
spoken concerning him. 

^ With religion or godliness. ^ With 
hypocrisy will it. _ '^ Isaiah xxix. 13. 
Psalm Ixii. 4. ' ' 
^ Psalm Ixxviii. 
^ We will magnify our tongue. 



mg. 



(123) 



were powerful. 



* Blessed. ^ Cursed. 

36, 37. ' Psalm xii. 3. 

»Boast- 

KaiTrep dvvd/ievo)^, though he 



And follow ike 



I. CLEMENT. 



examples of Jesus, 



2 For thus he saith, Lord, 
* who hath believed our report, 
and to whom is the arm of the 
Lord revealed? For he shall 
grow up before him as a tender 
plant, and as a root out of a dry 
ground. 

3 He hath no form or comeli- 
ness, and when we shall see him, 
there is no beauty that we 
should desire him. 

4 He is despised and rejected 
of men ; a man of sorrows and 
acquainted with grief. 

5 And we hid, as it were, our 
faces from him ; he was despised, 
and we esteemed him not. 

6 Surely he hath borne our 
griefs, and carried our sorrows : 
yet we did esteem him stricken, 
smitten of God, and afflicted. 

7 But he was wounded for our 
transgressions; he was bruised 
for our iniquities; the chastise- 
ment of our peace was upon him ; 
and with his stripes we are 
healed. 

8 All we like sheep have gone 
astray; we have turned every 
one to his own way, and the 
Lord hath laid on him the iniq- 
uity of us all. 

9 He was oppressed, and he 
was afflicted, yet he opened not 
his mouth : he is brought as a 
lamb to the slaughter ; and as a 
sheep before her shearers is 
dumb, so he openeth not his 
mouth. 

10 He was taken from prison, 
and from judgment; and who 
shall declare his generation ? For 
he was cut off out of the land of 
the living, for the transgression 
of my people was he stricken. 



* Isaiah liii. according to the He- 
brew. 



1 1 And he made his grave with 
the wicked, and with the rich in 
his death ; because he had done 
no violence, neither was any de- 
ceit in his mouth. 

12 Yet it pleased the Lord to 
bruise him, he hath put him to 
grief : when thou shalt make his 
soul an offering for sin, he shall 
see his seed, he shall prolong his 
days; and the pleasure of the 
Lord shall prosper in his hand. 

13 He shall see of the travail 
of his soul and shall be satisfied ; 
by his knowledge shall my right- 
eous servant justify many: for 
he shall bear their iniquities. 

14 Therefore will I divide him 
a portion with the great, and he 
shall divide the spoil with the 
strong ; because he hath poured 
out his soul unto death ; and he 
was numbered with the trans- 
gressors, and he bare the sin of 
many, and made intercession for 
the transgressors. 

1 5 And again he h imself saith, 
* I am a worm and no man, a re- 
proach of men, and despised of 
the people. All they that see me 
laugh me to scorn; they shoot 
out their lips, they shake their 
heads, saying ; He trusted in the 
Lord that he would deliver him, 
let him deliver him seeing he de- 
lighted in him. 

16 Ye see, beloved, what the 
pattern is that has been given to 
us. For if the Lord thus hum- 
bled himself, what should we do 
who are brought "" by him under 
the yoke of his grace ? 

1 7 Let us be followers of those 
who went about in goat-skins 
and sheep-skins; preaching the 
coming of Christ. 



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* Psalm xxii. 6. * MS. dt <R;rov. 



and of 



I. CLEMENT. 



koty men. 



1 8 'Such were Elias, and Eli- 
sseus, and Ezekiel the prophets. 
' And let us add to these such 
others as have received the like 
testimony. 

19 Abraham has been greatly 
witnessed of ; having been called 
the friend of God. And yet he 
steadfastly beholding the glory 
of God, says with all humility, 

* I am dust and ashes. 

20 Again of Job it is thus 
written, *That he was just and 
without blame, true; one that 
served God, and abstained from 
all evil. Yet he accusing him- 
self, says, ^ No man is free from 
pollution, no not though he 
should live but one day. 

21 Moses was called faithful 
in all God's House ; and by his 
conduct " the Lord punished 
Israel by stripes and plagues. 

22 And even this man, though 
thus greatly honored, spake not 
greatly of himself ; but when the 
oracle of God was delivered to 
him out of the bush, he said, 
' Who am I, that thou dost send 
me? I am of a slender voice, 
and a slow tongue. 

23 And again he saith, ^ I am 
as the smoke of the pot. 

24 And what shall we say of 
David, so highly testified of in 
the Holy Scriptures ? To whom 
God said ' I have found a man 
after my own heart, David the 
son of Jesse, with my holy oil 
have I anointed him. 

25 But yet he himself saith 

^We say. *To these, those also 
that have been witnessed of. ^ Gen. 
xviii. 27. *Job, i. i. *Job, xiv. 4. 

• MS. eKpivev o 6eoc tov ItrpariX 6ia tuv 
fiacfTiyuv. 'Exod, iii. ii. *Exod. W. 
10. ' Psalm, Ixxxix. 20 



unto God, * Have mercy upon 
me. O God, according to thy 
loving kindness ; according unto 
the multitude of thy tender mer- 
cies, blot out my transgressions. 

26 Wash me thoroughly from 
mine iniquity, and cleanse me 
from my sin. For I acknowl- 
edge my transgressions, and my 
sin is ever before me. 

27 Against Thee only have I 
sinned, and done this evil in thy 
sight, that thou mightest be just- 
ified when thou speakest, and be 
clear when thou judgest. 

28 Behold I was shapened in 
iniquity, and in sin did my 
mother conceive me. 

29 Behold, thou desirest truth 
in the inward parts; and in the 
hidden part thou shalt make me 
to know wisdom. 

30 Purge me with hyssop and 
I shall be clean, wash me and I 
shall be whiter than snow. 

31 Make me to hear joy and 
gladness, that the bones which 
thou hast broken may rejoice. 

32 Hide thy face from my 
sins, and blot out all mine in- 
iquities. 

33 Create in me a clean heart, 
O God ; and renew a right spirit 
within me. 

34 Cast me not away from thy 
presence, and take not thy holy 
spirit from me. 

35 Restore unto me the joy of 
thy salvation, and uphold me 
with thy free spirit. 

36 Then will I teach trans- 
gressors thy ways, and sinners 
shall be converted unto thee. 

37 Deliver me from blood- 
guiltiness, O God, thou God of 

^ Psalm li. to v. 17, according to the 
Hebrew. 



(125) 



Perstiades to 



I. CLEMENT. healing of differences, 



my salvation, and my tongue 
shall sing aloud of thy righteous- 
ness. 

38 O Lord open thou my lips, 
and my mouth shall show forth 
thy praise. 

39 For thou desirest not sacri- 
fice, else would I give it; thou 
delightest not in burnt-offerings. 

40 The sacrifices of God are a 
broken spirit, a broken and a 
contrite heart, O God, thou wilt 
not despise. 

CHAP. IX. 

He again persuades thein to compose 
their divisions. 

THUS has the humility and 
' godly fear of these '' great 
and excellent men, ^ recorded in 
the Scriptures, through obedi- 
ence, made not only us, but also 
the generations before us better ; 
even as many as have received 
his holy oracles * with fear and 
truth. 

2 Having therefore so many, 
and such great and glorious ^ ex- 
amples, "let us return to that 
peace which was the mark that 
from the beginning was set be- 
fore us : 

3 Let us look up to the Father 
and Creator of the whole world ; 
and let us hold fast to his glori- 
ous and exceeding gifts and bene- 
fits of peace. 

4 Let us 'consider and behold 
with the eyes of our '^ understand- 
ing, his long-suffering will ; and 
think how gentle and patient he 
is towards his whole creation. 

^ Fearfulness. '^ So great and such 
kind of men. ^ Witnessed of, or cele- 
brated. * In. ^ Deeds or works. ** Let 
us return to the mark of peace given 
to us from the beginning. ' See him 
with our understandmg. ^Soul. 



(126 



5 The heavens moving by his 
appointment, are subject to him 
in peace. 

6 Day and night accomplish 
the courses that he has allotted 
unto them, not disturbing one 
another. 

7 The sun and moon, and all 
the several ' companies and con- 
stellations of the stars, run the 
^courses that he has appointed 
to them in concord, without de- 
parting in the least from them. 

8 The fruitful earth yields its 
food plentifully in due season 
both to man and beast, and to all 
animals that are upon it, accord- 
ing to his will ; not ^ disputing, 
nor altering any thing of what 
was ordered by him. 

9 So also the unfathomable 
and unsearchable floods of the 
deep, are kept in by his command: 

10 ^And the ^conflux of the 
vast sea, being brought together 
by his order into its several col- 
lections, passes not the bounds 
that he has set to it ; 

1 1 But as he ^ appointed it, so 
it remains. For he said, ' Hither- 
to shalt thou come, and thy floods 
shall be broken within thee. 

12 The ocean, unpassable to 
mankind, and the worlds that are 
beyond it, are governed by the 
same commands of their great 
mas,ter. 

13 Spring and summer, au- 
tumn and winter, give place 
peaceably to each other. 

14 The several '^quarters of the 
winds fulfill their 'work in their 
seasons, without offending one 
another. 

'Choruses. 'Bounds. * Doubting. 
* Vid. Edit, Colomes. p. 53. * Hollow, 
or depth. ^Commanded, so it does. 

ob, xxxviii. * Stations. ' Service. 



6) 



and to obedience. 



I. CLEMENT. 



Of faith. 



15 The ever-flowing fountains, 
made both for pleasure and 
health, never fail to reach out 
their breasts to support the life 
of men. 

16 Even the smallest creatures 
* live together in peace and con- 
cord with each other. 

17 All these has the Great 
Creator and Lord of all, com- 
manded to observe peace and 
concord ; being good to all. 

1 8 But especially to us who flee 
to his mercy through our Lord 
Jesus Christ ; to whom be glory 
and majesty for ever and ever. 
Amen. 

CHAP. X. 
He exhorts them to obedience, from the 
consideration of the goodness of God, 
and of his presence in every place. 

TAKE heed, beloved, that his 
many blessings be not to "^ us 
to condemnation; except we shall 
walk worthy of him, doing with 
^one consent what is good and 
pleasing in his sight. 

2 * The spirit of the Lord is a 
candle, searching out the inward 
parts of the belly. 

3 Let us therefore consider 
how near he is to us ; and how 
that none of our thoughts, or rea- 
sonings which we frame within 
ourselves, are ^hid from him. 

4 It is therefore just that we 
should not forsake our rank, by 
doing contrary to his will. 

5 Let us choose to offend a few 
foolish and inconsiderate men, 
lifted up and glorying ' in their 
own pride, rather than God. 

6 Let us reverence our Lord 

> Mix together. ^ All of us. ^With 
concord. "* Prov. xx. 27. ^ That noth- 
ing is hid to him of our thoughts, or 
reasonings. * In the pride of their own 
speech, or reason. 



Jesus Christ whose blood was 
given for u«s. 

7 Let us honor those who are 
set over us; let us respect the 
aged that are amongst us ; and 
let us instruct the younger men, 
in the discipline and fear of the 
Lord. 

8 Our wives let us ' direct to 
do that which is good. 

9 Let them show forth a lovely 
habit of purity in all their con- 
versation; with a sincere ^affec- 
tion of meekness. 

10 Let the ^ government of 
their tongues " be made manifest 
by their silence. 

11 Let their charity be with- 
out respect of persons, alike to- 
wards all such as religiously fear 
God. 

12 Let your children ^be bred 
up in the instruction of Christ : 

13 And especially let them 
learn how great a power humility 
has with God ; how much a pure 
and holy charity avails with him; 
how excellent and great his fear 
is ; and how it will "^ save all such 
as turn to him with holiness in 
a pure mind. 

14 For he is the searcher of 
the thoughts and counsels of the 
hearts; whose breath is in us, 
and when he pleases he can take 
it from us. 

CHAP. XL 

Of faith : and particularly what we 
are to believe as to the Resurrection. 

BUT all these things ' must be 
confirmed by the faith which 
is in Christ; for so he himself 
bespeaks us by the Holy Ghost. 

* Correct, or amend. '^ Will, or coun- 
sel. ^ Moderation. * Let them mani- 
fest. * Partake of. ^ Saving. ' The 
faith confirms. 



(127) 



The unhappiness of 



I. CLEMENT. 



those who doubt. 



2 * Come ye children and 
hearken unto me, and I will 
teach you the fear of the Lord. 
What man is there that desireth 
life, and loveth to see good 
days? 

3 Keep thy tongue from evil, 
and thy lips that they speak no 
guile. 

4 Depart from evil and do 
good ; seek peace and ensure it. 

5 The eyes of the Lord are 
upon the righteous, and his ears 
are open unto their prayers. 

6 But the face of the Lord is 
against them that do evil, to cut 
off the remembrance of them 
from the earth. 

7 The righteous cried, and the 
Lord heard him, and delivered 
him out of all his troubles. 

8 Many are the troubles of 
the wicked ; but they that trust 
in the Lord, mercy shall encom- 
pass them about. 

9 Our all-merciful and benefi- 
cent Father hath bowels of com- 
passion towards them that fear 
him ; and kindly and lovingly be- 
stows his graces upon all such as 
come to him with a simple mind. 

ID Wherefore let us not ^wa- 
ver, neither let us have any 
doubt in our hearts, of his 
excellent and glorious gifts. 

11 ''Let that be far from us 
which is written, " Miserable are 
the double-minded, and those 
who are doubtful in their hearts. 

12 Who say these things have 
we heard, and our fathers have 
told us these things. But behold 
we are grown old, and none of 
them have happened unto us. 

' Psalm xxxiv. ii. 'Be double-mind- 
ed. • Let the writing be far from us. 
*Jamcs, i. 8, 



(laS) 



13 O ye fools! 'consider the 
trees : take the vine for an exam- 
ple. First it sheds its leaves; 
then it buds ; after that it spreads 
its leaves ; then it flowers ; then 
come the sour grapes ; and after 
them follows the ripe fruit. Ye 
see how in a little time the fruit 
of the trees comes to maturity. 

14 Of a truth, yet a little while 
and his will shall suddenly be 
accomplished. 

15 The Holy Scripture itself 
bearing witness. That "" He shall 
quickly come and not tarry, and 
that the Lord shall suddenly 
come to his temple, even the 
^ holy one whom ye look for. 

16 Let us consider, beloved, 
how the Lord does continually 
shew us, that there shall be a 
future resurrection : of which he 
has made our Lord Jesus Christ 
the first fruits, raising him from 
the dead. 

1 7 Let us * contemplate, belov- 
ed, the resurrection that is ^ con- 
tinually made before our eyes. 

18 Day and night manifest a 
resurrection to us. The night 
lies down, and the day arises: 
again the day departs and the 
night comes on. 

19 Let us behold the fruits of 
the earth. Every one sees how 
the seed is sown. The sower 
^ goes forth and casts it upon the 
earth ; and the seed which when 
it was sown fell upon the earth 
dry and naked, in time dissolves. 

20 And from the dissolution, 
the great power of the providence 
of the Lord raises it again ; and 

* Compare yourselves unto a tree. 
* Ex. MS. omitted by James, Hab. ii. 
3; Malach. iii. i. 'Coteler, AyyeAof, 
Angel. * See. • Made every season, 
^ Went forth, and so in the rest. 



Nature's proofs 



I. CLEMENT. 



of the Resurrection, 



of one seed many arise, and 
bring forth fruit. 

CHAP. XII. 
The Resurrection further proved. 

LET us consider that wonder- 
ful ' type of the resurrection, 
which is seen in the Eastern coun- 
tries : that is to say, in Arabia. 

2 There is a certain bird called 
a Phoenix ; of this there is never 
but one at a time : and that lives 
five hundred years. And when 
the time of its dissolution draws 
near, that it must die, it makes 
itself a nest of frankincense, and 
myrrh, and other spices into 
which when its time is fulfilled 
it enters and dies. 

3 But its flesh putrifying, 
breeds a certain worm, which be- 
ing nourished with the juice of 
the dead ^ bird brings forth feath- 
ers ; and when it is grown to ' a 
perfect state, it takes up the nest 
in which the bones of its ^parent 
lie, and carries it from Arabia 
into Egypt, to a city called Heli- 
opolis : 

4 And flying in open day in 
the sight of all men, lays it upon 
the altar of the sun, and so 
returns from whence it came. 

5 The priests then search 
into the records of the time ; and 
find that it returned precisely at 
the end of five hundred years. 

6 And " shall we then think it 
to be any very great and strange 
thing, for the Lord of all to raise 
up those that religiously serve 
him in the assurance of a good 
faith, when even by a bird he 
shews us the greatness of his 
power to fulfill his promise ? 

'Sign, 'Animal. 'Strong. * Pro- 
genitor. 



• Animal. 
*Do. 



(129) 



7 For he says in a certain 
place. Thou shalt raise me up 
and I shall confess unto thee. 

8 And again, ^ I laid me down 
and slept, and awaked, because 
thou art with me. 

9 And again. Job says, ' Thou 
shalt raise up this flesh of mine, 
that has suffered all these things. 

ID Having therefore this hope, 
let us ' hold fast to him who is 
faithful to all his promises, and 
righteous in all his judgments; 
who has commanded us not to 
lie, how much more will he not 
himself lie ? 

1 1 For nothing is impossible 
with God, but to lie. 

12 Let his faith then be stirred 
up again in us ; and let us con- 
sider that all things are nigh 
unto him. 

13 By the word of his * power 
he made all things ; and by ^ the 
same word he is able, (whenever 
he will,) to destroy them. 

14 " Who shall say unto him, 
what dost thou ? or who shall re- 
sist the power of his strength ? 

15 When, and as he pleased,' 
he will do all things ; and noth- 
ing shall pass away of all that 
has been determined by him. 

16 All things are open before 
him; nor can anything be hid 
from his counsel. 

17 *The heavens declare the 
glory of God, and the firmament 
sheweth his handy work. Day 
unto day uttereth speech, and 
night unto night sheweth knowl- 
edge. There is no speech nor 
language where their voice is 
not heard. 

* Psalm iii. 5. 'Job, xix 
our minds be fastened. 
' His word. • Wisd. xii. 
TToiTjaei. • If the, &c. Psalm xix. j. 



26. 3 Let 
* Majesty. 
12. » MS. 



Impossible to escape 



I. CLEMENT. 



God^s vengeance. 



CHAP. XIII. 

It is impossible to escape the vengeance 
of God, if we continue in sin. 

SEEING then all things are 
seen and heard by God ; let 
us fear him, and let us lay aside 
our wicked works which proceed 
from ill desires; that through 
his mercy we may be ' delivered 
from the ' condemnation to come. 

2 For whither can any of us 
flee from his mighty hand? Or 
what world shall receive any of 
those who run away from him ? 

3 For this saith the Scripture 
in a certain place, ^ Whither shall 
I flee from thy spirit, or where 
shall I hide myself from thy 
presence ? 

4 If I ascend up into heaven, 
thou art there; if I shall go to 
the utmost part of the earth, 
there is thy right hand : If I shall 
make my bed in the deep, thy 
Spirit is there. 

5 Whither then shall any one 
go; or whither shall he run 
from him that comprehends all 
things ? 

6 Let us therefore come to him 
with holiness of * heart, lifting 
up chaste and undefiled hands un- 
to him ; loving our gracious and 
merciful Father, who has made 
us ^ to partake of his election. 

7 For so it is written, " When 
the Most High divided the na- 
tions, when he separated the sons 
of Adam, he set the bounds of 
the nations, according to the 
number of his angels ; ' his 
people Jacob became the portion 
of the Lord, and Israel the lot 
of his inheritance. 

^ Covered. '^Judgments. ^ Psalm 
cxxxix. 7- * Mind. * A part. ^ Deut. 
xxxii. 8. 9. '' So the lxx. 



8 And in another place he 
saith, ^ Behold the Lord taketh 
unto himself a nation, out of the 
midst of the nations, as a man 
taketh the first-fruits of his 
flour ; ' and the Most Holy shall 
come out of that nation. 

CHAP. XIV. 

How we fnust live that we may please 
God. 

WHEREFORE we being a 
part of the Holy One ; let 
us do all those things that pertain 
unto holiness: 

2 Fleeing all evil - speaking 
against one another; all filthy and 
impure embraces, together with 
all drunkenness, youthful lusts, 
abominable concupiscences, de- 
testable adultery, and execrable 
pride. 

3 ^ For God, saith he, resisteth 
the proud, but giveth grace to the 
humble. 

4 Let us therefore hold fast to 
those to whom '' God has given 
his grace. 

5 And let us put on concord, 
being humble, temperate; free 
from all whispering and detrac- 
tion; and justified by our ^ac- 
tions, not our words. 

6 For he saith, ' Doth he that 
speaketh and heareth many 
things, and that is of a ready 
tongue, suppose that he is right- 
eous ? ^ Blessed is he that is born 
of a woman, that liveth but a 
few days: **use not therefore 
much speech. 

7 Let our praise be of God, 
not of ourselves; for God hat- 

^ Deut, iv. 34. 2 Isaiah xi. i. ^James 
TV. 6. I Pet V. 5. ^ The grace of God has 
been given. ^ Works. ^ He that speak- 
eth many things shall also hear, &c 
'Job, xi. 2, 3, LXX. *Be not wordy. 



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How to live 



I. CLEMENT. 



to please God, 



eth those that ' commend them- 
selves. 

8 Let the witness of our good 
actions be given to us of others, 
as it was given to the holy men 
that went before us. 

9 Rashness, and arrogance, 
and confidence, belong to them 
who are accursed of God: but 
equity, and humility, and mild- 
ness, to such as are blessed by 
him. 

ID Let us then lay hold of his 
blessing, and let us ^consider 
what are the ways by which we 
may attain unto it. 

1 1 Let us ^ look back upon 
those things that have happened 
from the beginning. 

12 For what was our Fa- 
ther Abraham blessed ? Was it 
not because that through faith 
he wrought righteousness and 
truth? 

13 Isaac being * fully persuad- 
ed of what he knew was to come, 
clieerfuUy yielded himself up for 
a sacrifice. Jacob with humility 
departed out of his own country, 
fleeing from his brother, and 
went unto Laban and served 
him ; and so the sceptre of the 
twelve tribes of Israel was given 
unto him. 

14 Now what the greatness, of 
'this gift was, will plainly ap- 
pear, if we shall take the pains 
distinctly to consider all the parts 
of it. 

15 For from him came the 
priests and Levites; who all 
ministered at the altar of God. 

16 From him came our Lord 

* Are praised of. ' See what are the 
ways of his blessing. ' Unroll. * Fore- 
knowing what was to be, became a 
sacrifice. * These gifts he shall know 
who will carefully consider them 



Jesus Christ, according to the 
flesh. 

17 From him came the kings, 
and princes, and rulers in Judah. 

18 Nor were the rest of his 
' tribes in any small glory : God 
having promised that ' thy seed 
(says he) shall be as the stars of 
heaven. 

19 They were all therefore 
' greatly glorified, not for their 
own sake, or for their own works, 
or for the righteousness that they 
themselves wrought, but through 
his will. 

20 And we also being called 
by the same will in Christ Jesus, 
are not justified by ourselves, 
neither by our own wisdom, or 
knowledge, or piety, or the works 
which we have done * in the 
holiness of our hearts : 

2 1 But by that faith by which 
God Almighty has justified all 
men from the beginning ; to 
whom be glory for ever and 
ever. Amen. 



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CHAP. XV. 

We are justified by faith ; yet this must 
not lessen our care to live welly nor 
our pleasure in it. 

WHAT shall we do therefore, 
brethren? Shall we be 
slothful in well-doing, and lay 
aside our charity ? God forbid 
that any such thing should be 
done by us. 

2 But rather let us hasten with 
all earnestness and readiness of 
mind, to perfect every good 
work. For even the Creator and 
Lord of all things himself re- 
joices in his own works. 

3 By his * Almighty power 
he fixed the heavens, and by 

'Sceptres. 'Gen. xxvii. 17. 'Glorifi- 
ed. *In holiness of heart, 'All-greatest 



Of justification 



I. CLEMENT. 



by faith and works. 



his incomprehensible wisdom he 
adorned them. 

4 He also divided the earth 
from the water, with which it is 
encompassed ; and fixed it as a 
secure tower, upon the founda- 
tion of his own will. 

5 He also by his appointment, 
commanded all the living creat- 
ures that are upon it, to exist. 

6 So likewise the sea, and all 
the creatures that are in it ; hav- 
ing first created them, he enclos- 
ed them therein by his power. 

7 And above all, he with his 
holy and pure hands, formed 
man, the most excellent, and, as 
to his understanding, truly the 
greatest of all other creatures, 
the character of his own image. 

8 For so God says, 'Let us make 
man in our own image, after our 
own likeness : so God created man, 
male and female created he them. 

9 And having thus finished all 
these things, he commended all 
that he had made, and blessed 
them, and said, increase and 
multiply. 

10 We see how all righteous 
men have been adorned with 
good works : Wherefore even the 
Lord himself, having adorned 
himself with his works, rejoiced. 

11 Having therefore ' such 
an example, let us without de- 
lay/ fulfill his will; and with 
all our strength, work the work 
of righteousness. 

CHAP. XVI. 
This enforced from the examples of 
the holy angels, and from the exceed- 
ing great7iess of that reward which 
God has prepared for us. 

THE good workman with con- 
fidence receives the bread 
* Gen. i. 26, 27. » Gen. i, 28. 
•This. *Come to. 



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of his ^ labor , but the sluggish 
and lazy cannot look him in the 
face that set him on work. 

2 We must therefore be ready 
and forward in well-doing: for 
from him are all things. 

3 And thus he foretels us, ^ be- 
hold the Lord cometh, and his 
reward is with him, even before 
his face, to render to every one 
according to his work. 

4 He warns us therefore before- 
hand, with all his heart to this 
end, that we should not be 
slothful and negligent in ^ well- 
doing. 

5 Let our boasting, therefore, 
and our confidence be in " God : 
let us submit ourselves to his 
will. Let us consider the whole 
multitude of his angels, how 
ready they stand to minister 
unto his will. 

6 As saiththe scripture, thou- 
sands of thousands stood before 
him, and ten thousand times ten 
thousand ministered unto him. 
'And again they cried, saying, 
Holy holy, holy is the Lord of 
Sabbaoth: ^The whole earth is 
full of his glory. 

7 Wherefore let us also, being 
conscientiously gathered togeth- 
er in concord with one another; 
as it were with one mouth, cry 
earnestly unto him, that he 
would make us partakers of his 
great and glorious promises. 

8 For he saith, ' Eye hath not 
seen, nor ear heard, neither have 
entered into the heart of man, 
the things which God has pre- 
pared for them that wait for 
him. 

^ Work. * Isaiah, xl. to. Ixii. 11. 
^ Every good work. *Him. 'Dan. 
vii. 10, 'Isaiah, vi. 3. '' Every Creature. 
" Isaiah, Ixiv. 4, i Cor. ii. 9. 



Of attaining the reward I. CLEMENT. 



of the righteous. 



CHAP. XVII. 

I We must attain unto this reward by 



Jaith and obedience, which we fnust 
carry on in an orderly pursuing of 
the duties of our several stations, 
without envy or contention. 24 The 
necessity of different orders among 
men. 33 We have none of us any 
thing but what we received of God: 
whom, therefore we ought in every 
condition thankfully to obey. 

HOW blessed and wonderful, 
beloved, are the gifts of God. 

2 Life in immortality ! bright- 
ness in righteousness! truth in 
full assurance! faith in confi- 
dence ! temperance in holiness ! 

3 And all this has ' God sub- 
jected to our understandings: 

4 What therefore shall those 
things be which he has prepared 
for them that wait for him ? 

5 The Creator and Father of "^ 
spirits, the Most Holy ; he only 
knows both the ^greatness and 
beauty of them. 

6 Let us therefore strive with 
all earnestness, that we may be 
found in the number of those 
that wait for him, that so we 
may receive the * reward which 
he has promised. 

7 But how, beloved, shall we 
do this ? ^ We must fix our minds 
by faith towards God, and seek 
those things that are pleasing 
and acceptable unto him. 

8 We must ^act conformably 
to his holy will ; and follow the 
way of truth, casting off from us 
all unrighteousncvcs and iniquity, 
together with all covetousness, 
strife, evil manners, deceit, whis- 
pering, detractions ; all hatred of 
God, pride, and boasting ; vanity 
and ambition : 

'He. 'Ages. * Quantity. * Gifts. 
•If we shall. * Perform those things 
that are agreeable. 



9 For they that do these things 
are odious to God ; and not only 
they that do them, but also ^ all 
such as approve of those that do 
them. 

10 For thus saith the scrip- 
ture, ^ But unto the wicked, God 
said. What hast thou to do to 
declare my statute, or that thou 
shouldst take my covenant in thy 
mouth? Seeing that thou hat- 
est instruction, and castest my 
words behind thee. 

1 1 When thou sawest a thief, 
then thou consentedst with him ; 
and hast been partaker with adul- 
terers. Thou givest thy mouth 
to evil, and thy tongue frameth 
deceit. Thou sittest and speakest 
against thy brother; thou slan- 
derest thine own mother's son. 

12 These things hast thou 
done and I kept silence; thou 
thoughtest that I was altogether 
such a one as thyself : but I will 
reprove thee, and set them in 
order before thine eyes. 

13 Now consider this ye that 
forget God, lest I tear you in 
pieces, and there be none to 
deliver. 

14 Whoso offereth praise, glo- 
rifieth me : And to him that dis- 
poseth his way aright, will I 
shew the salvation of God. 

15 This is the way, beloved, in 
which we may find ^ our Saviour, 
even Jesus Christ, the high-priest 
of all our offerings, the defender 
and helper of our weakness. 

16 By him we look up to the* 
highest heavens ; and behold, as 
in a glass, his spotless and most 
excellent visage. 

' Rom. i. 32. 2 Psalm 1. 15, accord- 
ing to the Hebrew. 'That which has 
the power to save us. * Heights of 
heaven. 



Of faith and obedience I. CLEMENT. 



in our calling. 



1 7 By him are the eyes of our 
hearts opened ; by him our fool- 
ish and darkened understanding 
rejoiceth to behold his wonder- 
ful light. 

1 8 By him would God have us 
to taste the knowledge of immor- 
tality : ' who being the brightness 
of his glory, is by so much greater 
than the angels, as he has by 
inheritance obtained a more ex- 
cellent name than they. 

19 For so it is written, 'who 
maketh his angels spirits, and 
his ministers a flame of fire : 

20 But to his son, thus saith 
the Lord, ' Thou art my Son, to- 
day have I begotten thee. 

21 " Ask of me, and I will give 
thee the heathen for thine inherit- 
ance, and the utmost parts of the 
earth for thy possession. 

22 And again he saith unto 
him, "Sit thou on my right hand, 
until I make thine enemies thy 
footstool. 

23 But who are his enemies? 
even the wicked, and such who 
oppose their own wills to the 
will of God. 

24 Let us therefore ^ march 
on, men and brethren, with all 
earnestness in his holy laws. 

25 Let us consider those who 
fight under our earthly govern- 
ors: How orderly, how readily, 
and with what exact obedience 
they perform those things that 
are commanded them. 

26 All are not 'generals, nor 

" colonels, nor ^ captains, nor " 

inferior ofiicers : 

^ Heb. i. 3, 4. ^ Psalm civ. 4 ; Heb. 
i. 7. ^Heb. i. 5. ^Comp. Psalm ii. 7. 
8. ^Heb. i. 13; Psalm ex. i. ^War. 
' Prefects. ^ Commanders of a thou- 
sand. ^Centurions. ^° Commanders of 
fifty, and so on. 



27 But every one in his respec- 
tive rank does what is command- 
ed him by the king, and those 
who have the authority over him. 

28 They who are great, cannot 
subsist without those that are 
little ; nor the little without the 
great, 

29 But there must be a mix- 
ture in all things, and then there 
will be use and profit too. 

30 Let us, ' for example, take 
our body : the head without the 
feet is nothing, neither the feet 
without the head. 

31 And even the smallest 
members of our body are yet 
both necessary and useful to the 
whole body. 

32 But all conspire together, 
and 'are subject to one common 
use, namely, the preservation of 
the whole '* body. 

33 Let therefore our whole 
body be saved in Christ Jesus ; 
and let every one be subject to 
his neighbor, " according to the 
order in which he is placed by 
the 'gift of God. 

34 Let not the strong man 
despise the weak; and let the 
weak see that he reverence the 
strong. 

35 Let the rich man distribute 
to the necessity of the poor ; and 
let the poor bless God, that he 
has given one unto him, by 
whom his want may be supplied. 

36 Let the wise man shew 
forth his wisdom, not in words, 
but in good works. 

37 Let him that is humble, not 
bear witness to himself, but let 

* I Cor. xii. 13, 21. 2 Use one 
common subjection. * MS. rb aofxa. 
*As also he has been placed. ^ His 
gift. 



(134) 



Exhorts the different I. CLEMENT. 



orders of merty 



him leave it to another to bear 
witness of him. 

38 Let him that is pure in the 
flesh, not grow proud of it, know- 
ing that it was ' from another 
that he received the gift of con- 
tinence. 

39 Let us consider therefore, 
brethren, ^ whereof we are made ; 
who, and what kind of men we 
came into the world, as it were 
out of a sepulchre, and from 
outer darkness. 

40 He that made us, and form- 
ed us, brought us into his own 
world ; having '' presented us 
with his benefits, even before we 
were born. 

41 Wherefore, having received 
all these things from him, we 
ought in everything, to give 
thanks unto him; to whom be 
glory for ever and ever. Amen. 

CHAP. XVIII. 

From whence he exhorts them to do 
every thing orderly in the Church, as 
the only way to please God. 

FOOLISH and unwise men, 
* who have neither prudence, 
nor learning, may mock and 
deride us; being willing to set 
up themselves in their own con- 
ceits : 

2 ^ But what can a mortal man 
do ? Or what strength is there in 
him that is made out of the 
dust? 

3 For it is written, there was 
no shape before mine eyes ; only 
I heard a ^ sound and a voice. 

4 ^For what? Shall man be 
pure before the Lord ? Shall he 
be blameless in his works ? 

^ Another that gave him. ^ of what 
matter. ^ Prepared for us, ^ And im- 
pudent, and without instruction. ^For. 
«An air. 'Job, iv, 17, &c. xv. 15. 
iv. 19. 



5 Behold he trusteth not in 
his servants; and his angels he 
chargeth with folly. 

6 Yea, the heaven is not clean 
in his sight, how much less they 
that dwell in houses of clay ; of 
which also we ourselves were 
made? 

7 He smote them as a moth ; 
and from morning even unto the 
evening they endure not. Be- 
cause they were not able to help 
themselves, they perished; he 
breathed upon them and they 
died, because they had no wis- 
dom. 

8 ' Call now if there be any 
that will answer thee; and to 
which of the angels wilt thou 
look? 

9 For wrath killeth the foolish 
man, and envy slayeth him that 
is in error. 

10 I have seen the foolish tak- 
ing root, but lo, their habitation 
was presently consumed. 

11 Their children were far 
from safety, they ^perished at 
the gates of those who were 
lesser than th emsel ves ; and there 
was no man to ^help them, 

1 2 For what was prepared for 
them, the righteous ^ did eat : 
and they shall not be delivered 
from evil. 

13 Seeing then these things 
are manifest unto us, it will be- 
hove us, to take care that look- 
ing into the depths of the divine 
knowledge, we do all things in 
order, whatsoever our Lord has 
commanded us to do. 

14 And particularly, that we 
perform our offerings and service 
to God, at their appointed sea- 

'Job. V, I, &c. 2 Where crushed 
upon. ^ Deliver. 



(135) 



2 Where 
*Eat. 



io order in the church 



I. CLEMENT. 



as pleasing to God, 



sons: for these he has commanded 
to be done, not ^ rashly and dis- 
orderly, but at certain determin- 
ate times and hours. 

15 And therefore he has or- 
dained by his supreme will and 
authority, both where, and by 
what persons, they are to be 
performed ; that so all things 
being piously done unto all well- 
pleasing, they may be acceptable 
unto ^him. 

16 They, therefore, who make 
their offerings at the appointed 
seasons are happy and accepted : 
because that obeying the com- 
mandments of the Lord, they are 
free from sin. 

1 7 And the same care must be 
had of the persons that minister 
unto him. 

1 8 ^ For the chief-priest has his 
proper services ; and to the priests 
their proper place is appointed ; 
and to the Levites appertain their 
proper ministries: and the layman 
is confined within the bounds of 
what is commanded to laymen. 

19 Let everyone of you there- 
fore, brethren, bless God in his 
proper station, with " a good con- 
science, and with all gravity, not 
exceeding the rule of his service 
that is appointed to him. 

20 The daily sacrifices are 
not offered everywhere ; nor the 
peace-offerings, nor the sacrifices 
appointed for sins and transgres- 
sions; but only at Jerusalem: 
nor in any place there, but only 
at the altar before the temple; 
that which is offered being first 
diligently examined by the high- 
priest and the other minister we 
before mentioned. 

*By chance. *To his will. *See 
Coteler. in loc. * Being in a good con- 
science. 



(136) 



2 1 They therefore who do any 
thing which is not agreeable to 
his will, are punished with death. 

22 ' Consider, brethren, that 
by how much the better knowl- 
edge God has vouchsafed unto us 
by so much the greater danger 
are we exposed to. 

CHAP. XIX. 

The orders of Ministers in Christ's 
Church established by the Apostles^ 
according to Christ's comtnand^ 7 
after the example of Moses. \^ There- 
fore they who have bee7i duly placed 
in the ministry according to their 
order cannot without great sin be 
put out of it. 

THE Apostles have preached 
to us from our Lord Jesus 
Christ : Jesus Christ from God. 

2 Christ therefore was sent by 
God, the Apostles by Christ ; so 
both were orderly ^sent, accord- 
ing to the will of God. 

3 For having received their 
command, and being thoroughly 
assured by the resurrection of 
our Lord Jesus Christ ; ^ and con- 
vinced by the word of God, with 
the * fullness of the Holy Spirit, 
they went abroad, publishing. 
That the kingdom of God was 
at hand. 

4 And thus preaching through 
countries and cities, ^ they ap- 
pointed the first fruits of their 
conversion to be bishops and 
ministers over such as should 
afterwards believe, having first 
proved them by the Spirit. 

5 Nor was this any new thing : 
seeing that long before it was 
written concerning bishops and 
deacons. 

6 For thus said the Scripture, 

in a certain place : ^ I will ap- 

^ Ye see. ^ Done. ^ i Thess. i. 5. 
* With the full assurance. ^ Vid. 
Coteler. in loc. ^ Isaiah, Ix. 17. 



Of the orders 



I. CLEMENT. 



in the ministry. 



point their 'overseers in right- 
eousness, and their ministers in 
faith. 

7 And what wonder if they, 
to whom such a work was com- 
mitted by God in Christ, estab- 
lished such officers as we before 
mentioned ; when even that bless- 
ed and faithful servant in all his 
house, Moses, ^ set down in the 
Holy Scriptures all things that 
were commanded him. 

8 Whom also all the rest of 
the prophets followed, bearing 
witness with one consent to 
those things that were appointed 
by him. 

9 For he, perceiving an ^ emu- 
lation to arise among the tribes 
concerning the priesthood, and 
that there was a strife about it, 
which of them should be adorned 
with that glorious name; com- 
manded their twelve captains to 
bring to him ^ twelve rods ; every 
tribe being written upon its rod, 
according to its name. 

10 And he took them and 
bound them together, and sealed 
them with the seals of the twelve 
princes of the tribes ; and laid 
them up in the tabernacle of wit- 
ness, upon the table of God. 

1 1 And when he had shut the 
door of the tabernacle, he sealed 
up the keys of it, in like manner 
'as he had done the rods; and 
said unto them. Men and breth- 
ren, whichsoever tribe shall have 
its rod blossom, that tribe has 
God chosen to perform the office 
of a priest, and ^ to minister unto 
him in holy things. 

^ Bishops, Deacons. '^ Signified. 
'An emulation happening. '^Numb, 
xvii. ^ And the rods. ® To exercise 
the office of the priesthood, and to 
minister, &c. 



(137) 



1 2 And when the morning was 
come, he called together all Is- 
rael, six hundred thousand men; 
and shewed to the princes their 
seals ; and opened the tabernacle 
of witness; and brought forth 
the rods. 

13 And the rod of Aaron was 
found not only to have blossom- 
ed, but also to have fruit upon it. 

14 What think you, beloved? 
Did not Moses before know' 
what should happen? 

15 Yes verily: but to the end 
there might be no division, nor 
tumult in Israel, he did in this 
manner, that the name of the 
true and only God might be glo- 
rified ; to him be honor for ever 
and ever. Amen. 

16 So likewise our Apostles 
knew by our Lord Jesus Christ, 
that there should contentions 
arise, ^upon the account of the 
ministry. 

1 7 And therefore having a per- 
fect fore- knowledge of this, they 
appointed persons, as we have 
before said, and then 'gave direc- 
tion how, when they should die, 
other chosen and approved men 
should succeed in their ministry. 

18 Wherefore we cannot think 
that those may justly be thrown 
out of their ministry, who were 
either appointed by them, or 
afterwards chosen by other emi- 
nent men, with the consent of the 
whole church ; and who have 
with all lowliness and innocency 
ministered to the flock of Christ, 

^That this should be so. 2 About 
the name of the bishoprick. ^ Left a 
list of other chosen and approved 
persons, who should succeed them in 
their ministry. See Dr. Arden's Disc. 
upon this passage. Dr. Hammond's 
Power of the Keys, c. iii. p. 413. 



Exhorts io peace 



I. CLEMENT. 



from holy orders. 



in peace, and without self -inter-] taken up an unjust envy against 



est, and were for a long time 
commended by all. 

19 For it would be no small 
sin in us, should we cast off those 
from their ' ministry, who holily 
and without blame ^fulfill the 
duties of it. 

20 Blessed are those priests, 
who having finished their course 
before these times, have obtained 
a fruitful and perfect dissolution : 
for they have no fear, lest any one 
should turn them out of the place 
which is now appointed for them. 

21 But we see how you have 
put out some, who lived reputa- 
bly among you, from the minis- 
try, which by their innocence 
they had adorned. 

CHAP. XX. 

He exhorts them to peace from exam- 
ples out of the Holy Scriptures, 20 
particularly from St. Paul's exhort- 
ation to them . 

YE are contentious, brethren, 
and zealous for things that 
pertain not unto salvation. 

2 Look into the Holy Scrip- 
tures, which are the true words 
of the Holy Ghost. Ye know 
that there is nothing unjust or 
counterfeit written in them. 

3 There you shall not find that 
righteous men were ever cast off 
by such as were good themselves. 

4 ^They were persecuted, but 
it was by the wicked and unjust. 

5 They were cast into prison ; 
but they were cast in by those 
that were unholy. 

6 They were stoned; but it 
was by transgressors. 

7 They were killed; but by 
accursed men, and such as had 

^ Bishoprick. ' Offer the gifts. ^Just 
men. 



(138) 



them. 

8 'And all these things they 
underwent gloriously. 

9 For what shall we say, breth- 
ren? Was Daniel cast into the 
Men of lions, by men fearing 
God? Ananias, Azarias, and 
Misael, were they ^cast into the 
'fiery furnace by men, ^profess- 
ing the excellent and glorious 
worship of the Most High ? God 
forbid. 

10 What kind of persons then 
were they that did these things ? 
They were men abominable, full 
of all wickedness ; who were in- 
censed to so great a degree, as to 
bring those into sufferings, who 
with a holy and unblamable pur- 
pose of mind worshipped God: 
not knowing that the Most High 
is the protector and defender of 
all such as with a pure conscience 
serve his * holy name : to whom 
be glory for ever and ever, Amen. 

1 1 But they who with a full 
persuasion have endured these 
things, ^are made partakers of 
glory and honor : and " are exalt- 
ed and lifted up by God in their 
memorial throughout all ages, 
Amen. 

12 Tf Wherefore it will behove 
us also, brethren, " to follow such 
examples as these ; for it is writ- 
ten. Hold fast to such as are 
holy; for they that do so shall 
be sanctified. 

13 And again in another place 
he saith, " With the pure thou 

' Suffering these things they under- 
went them gloriously. ^ Dan. vi. 16. 
2 Shut into. * Dan. iii. 20. ' Worship- 
ping the worship. * Full of virtue. 
^ Have inherited. * Have been exalt- 
ed. * To cleave to. ^^ Psalm xviii. 
26. 



Further exhorts 



I. CLEMENT. 



to peace and union. 



shalt be pure, ('and with the 
elect thou shalt be elect,) but 
with the perverse man thou shalt 
be ^ perverse. 

14 Let us therefore join our- 
selves to the innocent and right- 
eous ; for such are the elect of 
God. 

15 Wherefore are there strifes, 
and anger, and divisions, and 
schisms, and wars, among us ? 

16 'Have we not all one God, 
and one Christ ? * Is not one 
spirit of grace poured out upon 
us all? Have we not one call- 
ing in Christ ? 

17 Why then do we rend and 
tear in pieces the members of 
Christ ; and raise seditions 
against our own body ? And are 
come to such a height of mad- 
ness, as to forget that ^ we were 
members one of another? 

18 Remember the words of 
our Lord Jesus, ^how he said, 
Woe to that man, (by whom of- 
fences come.) ' It were better for 
him that he had never been 
born, than that he should have 
offended one of my elect. It 
were better for him, that a mill- 
stone should be tied about 
his neck, and he should be 
cast into the sea, than that he 
should offend one of my little 
ones. 

19 Your schism has perverted 
many, has discouraged many : 
it has caused diffidence in many, 
and grief in us all. And yet your 
sedition continues still. 

20 Tf Take the Epistle of the 
blessed Paul the Apostle into 

^ Omitted by Junius, and now re- 
stored from the MS. ^ Turn aside. 
iv. 4. * I Cor. xii 
« For he said, 
xvu. 2. 



»Eph. 
xii. 5 



»Rom. 
' Luke, 



(139) 



your hands ; ^ What was it that 
he wrote to you at his first 
preaching the Gospel among 
you? 

21 Verily he did ^ by the spirit 
admonish you concerning him- 
self, and Cephas, and Apollos, 
because that even then ye had 
begun to fall into ^ parties and 
factions among yourselves. 

22 Nevertheless your partiali- 
ty then led you into a much less 
sin : forasmuch as ye * placed 
your affections upon Apostles, 
men of * eminent reputation in 
the church ; and upon another, 
who was greatly tried and ap- 
proved of by them. 

23 But consider, we pray you, 
who are they that have now led 
you astray ; and lessened the 
"reputation of that brotherly 
love that was ^ so eminent among 
you? 

24 It is a shame, my beloved, 
yea, a very great shame, and un- 
worthy of your Christian ^ pro- 
fession, to hear that the most 
firm and ** ancient church of the 
Corinthians should, by one or 
two persons, be led into a sedi- 
tion against its priests. 

25 And this report is come not 
only to us, but to those also that 
differ from us. 

26 Insomuch that the name of 
the Lord is blasphemed through 
your folly ; and even ye your- 
selves are brought into danger 
by it. 

27 Tf Let us therefore with all 
haste "* put an end to this sedi- 

'See Dodwell's add. and Pearson, 
Dr. Grabe, &c. ^ Spiritually send to 
you. 2 Inclinations. ^ Inclined. ^ Wit- 
nessed of. ^ Gravity. '' So much 
spoken of. * Institution. *See Dod- 
well. *^ Take away. 



The value and effects of I. CLEMENT. 



tcnify and charity. 



tion ; and let us fall down before 
the Lord, and beseech him with 
tears that he ^ would be favorably 
reconciled to us, and restore us 
again to a ' seemly and holy 
course of brotherly love. 

28 For this is the gate of right- 
eousness, opening unto life: As 
it is written, ^ Open unto me the 
gates of righteousness ; I will go 
in unto them and will praise the 
Lord. This is the gate of the 
Lord, the righteous shall enter 
into it. 

29 Although therefore many 
gates are opened, yet this gate 
of righteousness is that gate in 
Christ at which blessed are they 
that enter in, and direct their 
way in holiness and righteous- 
ness, doing all things without 
disorder. 

30 Let a man be faithful, let 
him be powerful in the utterance 
of knowledge ; let him be wise 
in making an exact judgment of 
words ; let him be pure in all his 
actions. 

31 But still by how much the 
more he seems to be * above 
others by reason of these things, 
by so much the more will it be- 
hove him to be humble-minded ; 
and to seek what is profitable to 
all men, and not his own ad- 
vantage. 

CHAP. XXL 

I The value which Godpids upon love 
and unity : the effects of a true char- 
ity, 8 which is the gift of God, and 
must be obtaiued by prayer. 

HE that has the love that is in 
Christ, let him keep the 
commandments of Christ. 

2 For who is able to express 

' Becoming favorable. ^ Grave, ven- 
erable. ^Psalm cxviii. 19, 20. * Greater, 



(140) 



the ^ obligation of the love of 
God? What man is sufiicient to 
declare, and is fitting the excel- 
lency of its beauty. 

3 The height to which charity 
leads, is inexpressible. 

4 Charity ' unites us to God ; 

* charity covers the multitude of 
sins : ^ charity endures all things, 
is long-suffering in all things. 

5 There is nothing base and 
sordid in charity: charity lifts 
not itself up above others ; admits 
of no divisions ; is not seditious ; 
but does all things in peace and 
concord. 

6 By charity were all the elect 
of God made perfect : Without 
it nothing is pleasing and ac- 
ceptable in the sight of God. 

7 Through charity did the 
Lord ^join us unto himself; 
whilst for the love that he bore 
towards us, our Lord Jesus ChrivSt 
gave his own blood for us, by the 
will of God; his flesh for our 
flesh ; his soul for our souls. 

8 T" Ye see, beloved, how great 
and wonderful a thing charity 
is ; and how that no expressions 
are sufficient to declare its per- 
fection, 

9 But who is fit to be found in 
it ? Even such only as God shall 
vouchsafe to make so. 

10 Let us therefore pray to 
him, and beseech him, that we 
may be worthy of it ; that so we 
may live in charity; being un- 
blamable, without human pro- 
pensities, without respect of 
persons. 

1 1 All the ages of the world, 
from Adam, even unto this day, 
are passed away ; but they who 

^ Bond. 2 Glues. » i Peter, iv. 8. 

* I Cor. xiii. 7, &c. * Take us up. 



Exhorts to unity from I. CLEMENT. the example of Moses, 



have been made perfect in love, 
have by the grace of God obtain- 
ed a place among the righteous ; 
and shall be made manifest in 
the ' j udgment of the kingdom 
of Christ. 

12 For it is written, ^ Enter 
into thy chambers for a little 
space, till my anger and indigna- 
tion shall pass away : And I will 
remember the good day, and 
will raise you up out of your 
graves. 

13 Happy ^then shall we be, 
beloved, if we shall have fulfilled 
the commandments of God, in 
the unity of love ; that so, 
through love, our sins may be 
forgiven us. 

14 For so it is written, "Blessed 
are they whose iniquities are 
forgiven, and whose sins are 
covered. Blessed is the man to 
whom the Lord imputeth no sin, 
and in whose mouth there is no 
guile. 

15 Now this blessing is ful- 
filled in those who are chosen by 
God through Jesus Christ our 
Lord, to whom be glory for ever 
and ever. Amen. 

CHAP. XXII. 

I He exhorts such as have been con- 
cerned in these divisions to repent, 
and return to their unity, confessing 
their sin to God, 7 which he enforces 
from the exa^nples of Moses, 10 and 
of many among the heathen, 23 and 
offudith and Esther among the Jews, 

LFT us therefore, as many as 
have transgressed bj^ any of 
the 'suggestions of the adver- 
sary, beg God's forgiveness. 

2 And as for those who have 
been the ^ heads of the sedition 

^Animadversion, or visitation. ^ Isa- 
iah, xxvi. 20.^ ^ Are we. * Psalm xxxii. 
* See Junius in loc. ^ Chief leaders. 



and faction among you, ' let them 
look to the common end of our 
hope. 

3 For as many as are ^ endued 
with fear and charity, would 
rather they themselves should 
fall into trials than their neigh- 
bors : And choose to be them- 
selves condemned, rather than 
that the good and just charity 
delivered to us should suffer. 

4 For it is seemly for a man 
to confess wherein he has trans- 
gressed. 

5 ^And not to harden his heart, 
as the hearts of those were hard- 
ened, who raised up sedition 
against Moses the servant of 
God : whose punishment was 
manifest " unto all men ; for they 
went down alive into the grave, 
death swallowed them up. 

6 ' Pharaoh and his host, and 
all the rulers of Egypt, their 
chariots also and their horsemen, 
were for no other cause drowned, 
in the bottom of the Red Sea, 
and perished ; but because they 
hardened their foolish hearts, 
after so many signs done in the 
land of Egypt, by Moses the 
servant of God. 

7 \ Beloved, God is not in- 
digent of any thing ; nor does he 
demand any thing of us, but 
that we should confess our sins 
unto him. 

8 For so says the ' Holy David 
^ I will confess unto the Lord, 
and it shall please him better 
than a young bullock that hath 
horns and hoofs. Let the poor 
see it and be glad. 

9 And again he saith, "Offer 

^ They ought. ^ Walk according to ; 
live in. ^ Rather than. ^ Numb. xvi. 
^ Exod. iv. ^ Chosen. ' Psalm Ixix. 31. 



C141) 



^ Psalm I. 14, 



ik€ heathens^ (Sfc. 



I. CLEMENT. 



The benefit 



unto God the sacrifice of praise, 
and pay thy vows unto the Most 
High. And call upon me in the 
day of trouble, and I will deliver 
thee, and thou shalt glorify me. 
' The sacrifice of God is a broken 
spirit. 

10 ^ Ye know, beloved, ye 
know full well, the Holy Scrip- 
tures ; and have thoroughly 
searched into the oracles of God : 
call them therefore to your re- 
membrance. 

1 1 For when Moses went up 
into the mount, and tarried there 
forty days and forty nights in 
fasting and humiliation ; God 
said unto him, ^Arise, Moses, and 
get thee down quickly from 
hence, for thy people whom thou 
broughtest out of the land of 
Egypt, have committed wicked- 
ness: they have soon transgressed 
the way that I commanded them, 
and have made to themselves 
graven images. 

12 And the Lord said unto 
him, I have spoken unto thee 
"^several times, saying, I have seen 
this people, and behold it is a 
stiff-necked people : let me there- 
fore destroy them, and put out 
their name from under heaven. 
And I will make unto thee a great 
and a wonderful nation, that shall 
be much * larger than this. 

13 But Moses said. Not so, 
Lord; Forgive now this people 
their sin ; or if thou wilt not, blot 
me also out of the book of the 
living. O admirable charity ! O 
insuperable perfection ! The ser- 
vant speaks freely to his Lord : 
He beseeches him either to for- 



* Psalm 
Deut. ix. 
greater. 



li. 17. ^ Exod. xxxiii. 

2 Once and twice. * More, 



give the people, or to 'destroy 
him together with them. 

14 ^ Who is there among you 
that is generous? Who that is 
compassionate ? Who that has 
any charity? Let him say, if 
this sedition, this contention, and 
these schisms, be upon my ac- 
count, I am ready to depart ; to go 
away whithersoever you please; 
and do whatsoever -' ye shall com- 
mand me : Only let the flock of 
Christ be in peace, with the 
elders that are set over it. 

15 He that shall do this, shall 
get to himself a very great honor 
in the Lord ; and ^ there is no 
place but what will be ready to 
receive him : * For the earth is the 
Lord's, and the fullness thereof. 

16 These things they who 
have their conversation towards 
God not to be repented of, both 
have done, and will always be 
ready to do. 

1 7 Tf ' Nay, and even the Gen- 
tiles themselves have given us 
examples of this kind, 

18 For we read, How many 
kings and princes, in times of 
pestilence, being warned by their 
oracles, have given up them- 
selves unto death ; that by their 
own blood, they might deliver 
their "^country from destruction. 

19 ^Others have forsaken their 
cities, that so they might put an 
end to the seditions of them. 

20 We know how many among 
ourselves, have given up them- 
selves unto bonds, that thereby 
they might free others from them. 

21 Others have sold them- 
selves into bondage, that they 

^ Blot out. '^ The multitude. ^ Every 
place. ^ Psalm xxiv, ^ But that we 
may bring the examples of heathens. 
® Citizens. ' Many. 
(142) 



of mutual advice I. CLEMENT, 

might feed ' their brethren with 



and correction. 



the price of themselves. 

22 And even many women, 
being strengthened by the grace 
of God have done many glorious 
and manly things on such oc- 
casions. 

23 The blessed 'Judith, when 
her city was besieged, desired the 
elders, that they would suffer her 
to go into the camp of ' their ene- 
mies : and she went out exposing 
herself to danger, for the love 
she bore to her country and her 
people that were besieged; and 
the Lord delivered Holofernes 
into the hands of a woman. 

24 Nor did * Esther, being per- 
fect in faith, expose herself to any 
less hazard, for the delivery of the 
twelve tribes of Israel, in danger 
of being destroyed. For by fast- 
ing and humbling herself, she en- 
treated the Great Maker of all 
things, the God of 'spirits; so 
that beholding the humility of 
her soul, he delivered the people, 
for whose sake she was in peril. 

CHAP. XXIII. 
the benefit of mutual advice and cor- 
rection. He entreats them to follow 
that which is here given to them. 

WHEREFORE let us also 
pray for such as are fallen 
into *sin. That being endued 
with humility and moderation, 
they may submit not unto us, 
but to the will of God. 

2 For by this means 'they 
shall obtain a fruitful and perfect 
remembrance, with mercy, both in 
our prayers to God, and in our 
mention of them before his 'saints. 



1 Others 
'The strangers 
» Ages 



^Judith, viii. ix. x. 
4 Esther, vii. 



who. ^Viz. that 
'There shall be to them. 
Fellow-Christians. 



xui. 

viii. 

of schism. 

i. e. our 



3 Let us receive correction, at 
which no man ought to repine. 

4 Beloved, the reproof and the 
correction which we exercise to- 
wards one another, is good, and 
exceedingly profitable : for it 
unites us the more closely to the 
will of God. 

5 For so says the Holy Scrip- 
ture, 'The Lord corrected me, 
but he did not deliver me over 
unto death. ' For whom the Lord 
loveth he chasteneth, and scourg- 
eth every son whom he receiveth. 

6 'The righteous, saith he, 
shall instruct me in mercy and 
reprove me; but let not oil of 
sinners make fat my head. 

7 And again he saith, " Happy 
is the man whom God correcteth ; 
therefore despise not thou the 
chastening of the Almighty. 

8 For he maketh sore and 
bindeth up; he woundeth and 
his hands make whole. 

9 He shall deliver thee in six 
troubles ; yea, in seven there shall 
no evil touch thee. In famine he 
shall redeem thee from death; 
and in war from the power of the 
sword. 

10 Thou shalt be hid from the 
scourge of the tongue ; neither 
shalt thou be afraid of destruc- 
tion when it cometh. 

11 Thou shalt laugh at the 
wicked and sinners ; neither shalt 
thou be afraid of the beasts of 
the earth. The wild beast shall 
be at peace with thee. 

12 Then shalt thou know that 
thy house shall be in peace and the 
habitation of thy tabernacle shall 
not err. Thou shalt know also that 
thy seed shall be great, and thy 
offspring as the grass of the earth. 

^ Psalm xcviii. ^ Prov. iii, 12. ' Psalm 
cxli. 5. *Job, V. 17, &c. 
(143) 



Recommends 



I. CLEMENT. 



ikem to God, 



13 Thou shalt come to thy 
grave as the ripe corn, that is tak- 
en in due time ; like as a shock 
of corn Cometh in, in its season. 

14 Ye see, beloved, how there 
shall be a defence to those that are 
corrected of the Lord. For being a 
goodinstructor, he iswillingto ad- 
monish us by his holy discipline. 

15 Do ye therefore, who laid 
the first foundation of this sedi- 
tion, submit yourselves unto 
your ' priests ; and be instructed 
unto repentance, bending the 
knees of your hearts. 

16 Learn to be subject, laying 
aside all proud and arrogant 
boasting of your tongues. 

1 7 For it is better for you to be 
found little, and approved, in the 
^ sheepfold of Christ, than to seem 
to yourselves better than others, 
and to be cast out of his ^ fold. 

18 For thus speaks the excel- 
lent and all-virtuous wisdom, 
* Behold I will pour out the word 
of my spirit upon you, I will 
make known my speech unto you. 

19 Because I called and ye 
would not hear, I stretched out 
my words and ye regarded not. 

20 But ye have set at naught 
all my counsel, and would none 
of my reproof. I will also laugh 
at your calamity, and mock when 
your fear cometh. 

21 When your fear cometh as 
desolation, and your destruction 
as a whirlwind, when distress and 
anguish cometh upon you. 

22 Then shall ye call upon me 
but I will not hear you: the 
wicked shall seek me but they 
shall not find me. For that they 
hated knowledge, and did not 
seek the fear of the Lord. 

^ Elders. ' See Junius in loc. 'See 
Coteler in loc. * Prov, i. 23, &c. 



(144) 



23 They would not hearken 
unto my counsel : they despised 
all my reproof. Therefore shall 
they eat of the fruit of their own 
ways; and be filled with their 
own wickedness. 

***** 

CHAP. XXIV. 

I Recommends thefn to God. 3 Desires 
speedily to hear that this Epistle has 
had a good effect upon them,. 4 Con- 
clusion. 

NOW God, the inspector of all 
things, the ^ Father of Spir- 
its, and the Lord of all flesh, 
who hath chosen our Lord Jesus 
Christ, and us by him, to be his 
peculiar people ; 

2 Grant to every §oul of man 
that calleth upon his glorious 
and holy name, faith, fear, peace, 
long-suffering, patience, temper- 
ance, holiness, and sobriety, unto 
all well-pleasing ^ in his sight ; 
through our High-Priest and 
Protector Jesus Christ, by whom 
be glory and majesty, and power, 
and honor, unto him now and for 
ever more, Amen. 

3 The messengers, whom we 
have sent unto you, Claudius, 
Ephebus, and Valerios Bito, with 
Fortunatus, send back to us again 
with all speed in peace and with 
joy, that they may the sooner 
acquaint us with your peace and 
concord, so much prayed for and 
desired by us ; and that we may 
rejoice in your good order. 

4 The grace of our Lord Jesus 
Christ be with you, and with all 
that are anywhere called by God 
through him : To whom be honor 
and glory, and might and maj- 
esty, and eternal dominion, by 
* Jesus Christ, from everlasting 
to everlasting, Amen. 

^ Master. ^ To his name. ' Him. 



The SECOND EPISTLE of CLEMENT to the CORINTHIANS. 

rArchbishop Wake is the translator of this Second Epistle, which he says 
was not of so great reputation among the primitive Fathers as the hrst 
He defends it, notwithstanding ; and in answer to those who objected 
to Clement's First Epistle, that it did not duly honor the Trinity ; the 
Archbishop refers to this as containing proof of the writer s fullness ot 
belief on that point.] 

7 We were defective in our 
understandings, — worshipping 
stones, and wood ; gold and sil- 
ver, and brass, the works of 
men's hands ; and our whole life 
was nothing else but death. 

8 Wherefore being encom- 
passed with darkness, and hav- 
ing such a mist before our eyes, 
we have looked up, and through 
his will have laid aside the cloud 
wherewith we were surrounded. 

9 For he had compassion upon 
us, and being moved in his bow- 
els towards us, he saved us ; hav- 
ing beheld in us much error, and 
destruction; and seen that we 
had no hope of salvation, but 
only through him. 

10 For he called us, who were 
not ; and was pleased from noth- 
ing to give us being. 

CHAP. XL 

I That God had before prophesied bv 
Isaiah, that the Gentiles should be 
saved, 8 That this ought to engage 
such especially to live well; without 
which they will still miscarry. 

REJOICE, thou barren, that 
bearest not ; break forth and 
cry thou that travailest not ; for 
she that is desolate hath many 
more children than she that hath 
an husband,' 

In that he said, Rejoice thou 



CHAP. I. 
That we ought to value our salvation ; 
and to shew that we do, by a sincere 
obedience. 

BRETHREN, we ought so to 
think of Jesus Christ as of 
God; as of the judge of the liv- 
ing, and the dead; nor should 
we think any less of our salva- 
tion. 

2 For if we think ' meanly of 
him, we shall hope only to re- 
ceive some small things from 
him. 

3 And if we "do so ; we shall 
sin ; not ' considering from 
whence we have been called, and 
by whom, and to what place; 
and how much Jesus Christ 
vouchsafed to suffer for our 
sakes. 

4 What recompense then shall 
we render unto him? Or what 
fruit that may be worthy of what 
he has given to us? 

5 For indeed * how great are 
those advantages which we owe 
to him in relation to our holiness ? 
He has illuminated us, as a 
father, he has called us his 
children; he has saved us who 
were lost and undone. 

6 What praise shall we give 
to him? Or what reward that 
may be answerable to those 
things which we have received. 

* Little things, or meanly. * Hears 
of little things. * Knowing. * How 
greatly holy things do we owe unto 



«U1U« 



barren, that bearest not, he 
spake of us : for our church was 
barren before that children were 

given unto it. 

' Isaiah, liv. i. 

(145) 



The Gentiles 



II. CLEMENT. 



to be saved. 



3 And again ; when he said, 
Cry thou that travailest not ; he 
implied thus much: That after 
the manner of woman in travail, 
we should not cease to put up our 
prayers unto God ' abundantly. 

4 And for what follows, because 
she that is desolate hath more 
children than she that hath a hus- 
band : it was therefore added, be- 
cause our people which seemed to 
have been forsaken by God, now 
believing in him, are become 
more than they who seemed to 
have God. 

5 And another Scripture saith, 
^ I came not to call the righteous 
but sinners (to repentance). The 
meaning of which is this: that 
those who were lost must be 
saved. 

6 For that is, indeed, truly great 
and wonderful, not to confirm 
those things that are yet stand- 
ing, but those which are falling. 

7 Even so did it seem good to 
Christ to save what was lost ; and 
when he came into the world, he 
saved many, and called us who 
were already lost^ 

8 Seeing then he has shewed so 
great mercy towards us; and 
chiefly for that we who are alive, 
do now no longer sacrifice to 
dead Gods, nor pay any worship 
to them, but have by him been 
brought to the knowledge of the 
Father of truth. 

9 'Whereby shall we shew 
that we do indeed know him, but 
by not denying him by whom we 
have come to the knowledge of 
him? 

ID For even he himself saith, 
*'A7rAcjf, See St. James, i. 5. Com- 
pare Rom. xii. 8. 2 Cor. viii 2. ix. 11. 
13. ' Matt. ix. 13. 3 What is the 
knowledge which is towards him. 



^ Whosoever shall confess me be- 
fore men, him will I confess be- 
fore my Father. This therefore 
is our reward, if we shall confess 
him by whom we have been saved. 

1 1 But, wherein must we con- 
fess him? — Namely, in doing 
those things, which he saith, and 
not disobeying his command- 
ments : by worshipping him not 
with our lips only, but with all 
our heart, and with all our mind. 
For he saith in Isaiah : * This 
people honoreth me with their 
lips, but their heart is far from 
me. 

12 Let us then not only call 
him Lord ; for that will not save 
us. For he saith : ' Not every one 
that saith unto me Lord, Lord, 
shall be saved, but he that doth 
righteousness. 

13 Wherefore, brethren, let us 
confess him by our works ; by 
loving one another ; in not com- 
mitting adultery, not speaking 
evil against each other, not en- 
vying one another; but by be- 
ing temperate, merciful, good. 

14 Let us also have a mutual 
sense of one another's sufferings ; 
and not be covetous of money : 
but let us, by our good works, 
confess God, and not by those 
that are otherwise. 

15 Also let us not fear men: 
but rather God. * Wherefore, if 
we should do such wicked things, 
the Lord hath said : Though ye 
should be joined unto me, even in 
my very bosom, and not keep 
my commandments, I would cast 
you off, and say unto you : * De- 
part from me ; I know not whence 
you are, ye workers of iniquity. 

\ Matt. X. 32. * Isaiah, xxix. 13. ^ Matt, 
vii. 21. * Wherefore we doing these 
things. 5^ Matt vii. 23. Luke, xiiL 27. 
(146) 



Exhorts against the II. CLEMENT. things of this world. 



CHAP. III. 

I That whilst we secure the other 
world, we need not fear what can 
befall us in this. 5 That if we follow 
the interests of this present world, 
we cannot escape the punishment of 
the other. 10 Which ought to bring 
us to repentance and holiness, 14 and 
that presently : because in this world 
is the only time for repentance. 

WHEREFORE, brethren, 
leaving willingly for con- 
science sake our sojourning in 
this world, let us do the will of 
him who has called us, and not 
fear to depart out of this world. 

2 For the Lord saith, * Ye shall 
be as sheep in the midst of wolves. 
Peter answered and said, What if 
the wolves shall tear in pieces 
the sheep ? Jesus said unto Peter, 
Let not the sheep fear the wolves 
after death: 'And ye also fear 
not those that kill you, and after 
that have no more that the^r can 
do unto you ; but fear him who 
after you are dead, has power to 
cast both soul and body into hell- 
fire. 

3 For consider, brethren, that 
the sojourning of this flesh in the 
present world, is but little, and 
of a short continuance ; but the 
promise of Christ is great and 
wonderful, even the rest of the 
kingdom that is to come, and of 
eternal life. 

4 What then must we do that 
we may attain unto it? — We 
must ^ order our conversation 
holily and righteously, and look 
upon all the things of this world 
as none of ours, and not desire 
them. For, if we desire to pos- 
sess them we fall from the way 
of righteousness. 

5 For thus saith the Lord, 

» Matt. X. 16. 3 Luke, xii. 4. 5. »MS. 
Alexander, wsiu^ kcu diKOttiC avipe^eaOai. 



C147) 



* No servant can serve two mas- 
ters. If, therefore, we shall desire 
to serve God and Mammon, it 
will be without profit to us. 
^ For what will it profit, if one 
gain the whole world, and lose 
his own soul? 

6 Now this world and that to 
come are two enemies. This 
speaketh of adultery and corrup- 
tion, of covetousness and deceit ; 
but that renounces these things. 

7 We cannot, therefore, be the 
friends of both ; but we must 
resolve by forsaking the one, to 
enjoy the other. And we think 
it is better to hate the present 
things, as little, short-lived, and 
corruptible, and love those which 
are to come, which are truly good 
and incorruptible. 

8 For, if we do the will of 
Christ, we shall find rest : but if 
not, nothing shall deliver us 
from eternal punishment if we 
shall disobey his commands. For 
even thus saith the Scripture in 
the prophet Ezekiel, " If Noah, 
Job, and Daniel should rise up, 
they shall not deliver their 
children in captivity. 

9 Wherefore, if such righteous 
men are not able by their right- 
eousness to deliver their chil- 
dren ; how can we hope to enter 
into the kingdom of God, except 
we keep our baptism holy and 
undefiled ? Or who shall be our 
advocate, unless we shall be 
found to have done what is holy 
and just? 

10 Let us, therefore, my breth- 
ren, contend with all earnest- 
ness, knowing that our combat 
is at hand ; and that many go 



^ Luke, xvi. 13. 
Ezek. xiv. 14, 20. 



'Matt. xvi. 26. 



and to repentance. 



II. CLEMENT. 



Of the resurrection. 



long voyages to encounter for a 
corruptible reward. 

1 1 And yet all are not crown- 
ed, but they only that labor 
much, and strive gloriously. Let 
us, therefore, so contend, that we 
may all be crowned. Let us run 
in the straight road, the race that 
is incorruptible ; and let us in 
great numbers pass unto it, and 
strive that we may receive the 
crown. But and if we cannot all 
be crowned, let us come as near 
to it as we are able. 

1 2 Moreover, we must consider 
that he who contends in a cor- 
ruptible combat ; if he be found 
doing any thing that is not fair, 
is taken away and scourged, and 
cast out of the lists. What think 
ye then that he shall suffer, who 
does any thing that is not fitting 
in the combat of immortality ? 

13 Thus speaks the prophet 
concerning those who keep not 
their seal ; ' Their worm shall not 
die, and their fire shall not be 
quenched ; and they shall be for 
a spectacle unto all flesh. 

14 Let us therefore repent, 
whilst we are yet upon the earth ; 
for we are as clay in the hand of 
the artificer. For as the potter, if 
he make a vessel, and it be turned 
amiss in his hands, or broken, 
again forms it anew; but if he 
have gone so far as to throw it 
into the furnace of fire, he can 
no more bring any remedy to it. 

15 So we, whilst we are in this 
world ^should repent with our 
whole heart for whatsoever evil 
we have done in the flesh ; while 
we have yet the time of repent- 
ance, that we may be saved by 
the Lord. 



* Isaiah, Ixvi. 24. ' Let us repent. 



(148) 



16 For after we shall have de- 
parted out of this world, we shall 
no longer be able either to confess 
our sins or repent ' in the other. 

1 7 Wherefore, brethren, let us, 
doing the will of the Father, and 
keeping our flesh pure, and ob- 
serving the commandments of the 
Lord, lay hold on eternal life : for 
the Lord saith in the Gospel, * If 
ye have not kept that which was 
little, who will give you that 
which is great? — For I say unto 
you, he that is faithful in that 
which is least, is faithful also in 
much. 

18 This, therefore, is what he 
saith ; keep your bodies pure, and 
your seal without spot, that ye 
may receive eternal life. 

CHAP. IV. 

I We shall rise, and be judged, in our 
bodies ; therefore we must live well 
in them, 6 that we ought, for our own 
interest, to live well ; though few 
seem, to mind what really is for their 
advantage, 10 and not deceive our- 
selves ; seeing God will certainly 
judge us, and render to all of us ac- 
cording to our works. 

AND let not any one among 
you say, that this very flesh 
is not judged, neither raised up. 
Consider, in what were ye saved ; 
in what did ye look up, if not 
whilst ye were in this flesh? 

2 We must, therefore, keep 
our flesh as the temple of God. 
For in like manner as ye were 
called in the flesh, ye shall also 
come to judgment in the flesh. 
^ Our one Lord Jesus Christ, who 
has saved us, being first a spirit, 
was made flesh, and so called us ; 
even so we also shall in this flesh 
receive the reward. 

* There. ' Luke, xvi. 10, 12. 'MS. 
Alex, plane sic exhibit : etf Xpicof, 



A fragment of 



II. CLEMENT. ihe Lord' s kingdom. 



3 Let us, therefore, love one an- 
other, that we may attain unto the 
kingdom of God. Whilst we have 
time to be healed, let us deliver 
up ourselves to God our physi- 
cian, giving our reward unto 
him. 

4 And what reward shall we 
give ? — Repentance out of a pure 
heart. For he knows all things 
before hand, and searches out 
our very hearts. 

5 Let us, therefore, give praise 
unto him ; not only with our 
mouths, but with . all our souls ; 
that he may receive us as chil- 
dren. ' For so the Lord hath 
said ; ' They are my brethren, 
who do the will of my father. 

6 \ Wherefore, my brethren, 
let us do the will of the Father, 
who hath called us, that we may 
live. Let us pursue virtue and 
forsake wickedness, which lead- 
eth us into sins; and let us flee 
all ungodliness, that evils over- 
take us not. 

7 For, if we shall do our dili- 
gence to live well, peace shall fol- 
low us. ^And yet how hard is it to 
find a man that does this ? For 
almost all are led by human 
fears, choosing rather the pres- 
ent enjoyments, than the future 
promise. 

8 For they know not how great 
a torment the present enjoyments 
bring with them ; nor what de- 
lights the future promise. 

9 And if they themselves only 
did this, it might the more easily 
be endured ; but now they go on 
to infect innocent souls with their 



* Vox. eeou non est in MS. * Matt, 
xii. 50. ' For, for this cause, we can- 
not find a man. Aliter Wendel. in 
traduct. lat q. v. 



(149) 



evil doctrines ; not knowing that 
both themselves, and those that 
hear them, shall receive a double 
condemnation. 

\o \ Let us, therefore, serve 
God with a pure heart, and we 
shall be righteous : but if we 
shall not serve him, because we 
do not believe the promise of 
God, we shall be miserable. 

1 1 For thus saith the prophet ; 
^Miserable are the double minded, 
who doubt in their heart, and 
say, these things have we heard, 
even in the time of our fathers, 
but we have seen none of them, 
though we have expected them 
from day to day. 

12 O ye fools! compare your- 
selves to a tree : take the vine for 
an example. First it sheds its 
leaves, then it buds, then come the 
sour grapes, then the ripe fruit ; 
even so my people has borne its 
disorders and afflictions, but shall 
hereafter receive good things. 

13 Wherefore, my brethren, let 
us not doubt in our minds, but let 
us expect with hope, that we may 
receive our reward; for he is 
faithful, who has promised that 
he will render to every one a re- 
ward according to his works. 

14 If, therefore, we shall do 
what is just in the sight of God, 
we shall enter into his kingdom, 
and shall receive the promises; 
"Which neither eye has seen, 
nor ear heard, nor have entered 
into the heart of man. 

15 1 Wherefore let us every 
hour expect the kingdom of God 
in love and righteousness ; be- 
cause we know not the day of 
God's appearing. 

» See I. Clement, chap. x. * i Cor. 
ii. 9. 



Preface to 



BARNABAS. 



the Epistle, 



CHAP. V. 

A Fragment. 

Of the Lord's Kingdom. 

1 * * * For the Lord himself, 
being asked by a certain person, 
When his kingdom should come ? 
answered. When two shall be one, 
and that which is without as that 
which is within; and the male 
with the female, neither male 
nor female. 

2 Now two are one, when we 
speak the truth to each other, and 
there is (without hypocrisy) one 
soul in two bodies : 

2, And that which is without as 
that which is within; — He means 
this ; he calls the soul that which 
is within, and the body that which 
is without. As therefore thy 



body appears, so let thy soul be 
seen by its good works. 

\ And the male with the female^ 
neither male nor female ; — He 
means this; he calls our anger 
the male, our concupiscence the 
female. 

5 When, therefore, a man is 
come to such a pass that he is 
subject neither to the one nor the 
other of these (both of which, 
through the prevalence of cus- 
tom, and an even education, 
cloud and darken the reason,) 

6 But rather, having dispelled 
the mist arising from them, and 
being full of shame, shall by 
repentance have united both his 
soul and spirit in the obedience of 
reason ; then, as Paul says, there 
is in us neither male nor female. 



The GENERAL EPISTLE of BARNABAS. 

[Barnabas was a companion and fellow preacher with Paul. This Epistle lays 
a greater claim to canonical authority than most others. It has been cited 
by Clement, Alexandrinus, Origen, Eusebius, and Jerome, and many an- 
cient Fathers. Cotelerius affirms that Origen and Jerome esteemed it 
genuine and canonical ; but Cotelerius himself did not believe it to be 
either the one or the other; on the contrary, he supposes it was written for 
the benefit of the Ebionites, (the christianized Jews,) who were tenacious 
of rites and ceremonies. Bishop Fell feared to own expressly what he 
seemed to be persuaded of, that it ought to be treated with the same re- 
spect as several of the books of the present canon. Dr. Bernard, Savilian 
professor at Oxford, not only believed it to be genuine, but that it was 
read throughout, in the churches at Alexandria, as the canonical scriptures 
were. Dodwell supposed it to have been published before the Epistle of 
Jude, and the writings of both the Johns. Vossius, Dupuis, Dr. Cane, 
Dr. Mill, Dr. S, Clark, Whiston, and Archbishop Wake, also esteemed it 
genuine : Menardus, Archbishop Laud, Spanheim, and others, deemed it 
apocryphal.] 



CHAP. I. 

Preface to the EpUtle. 

ALL happiness to you, my sons 
and daughters, in the name 
of our Lord Jesus Christ, who 
loved us, in peace. 
2 Having perceived abundance 



(150) 



of knowledge of the great and 
^excellent ''laws of God to be 
in you, I exceedingly rejoice 
in 5^our blessed and admirable 
'' souls, because ye have so wor- 

^ Honestarum. ^ ^quitatum, Aixa- 
icifxaTuv, righteous judgments. ^ Spiri- 
tibus. Disposition. 



Preface 



BARNABAS. 



contintied. 



thily received the grace which 
was ' grafted in you. 

3 For which cause I am full 
of joy, hoping the rather to be 
' saved ; inasmuch as I truly see 
a spirit infused into you, from 
the '^ pure fountain of God : 

4 Having this persuasion, and 
being fully convinced thereof, 
because that since I have begun 
to speak unto you, I have had a 
more than ordinary good success 
in the way of 'the law of the 
Lord, which is in Christ. 

5 For which cause " brethren, I 
also think verily that I love you 
above my own soul : because that 
therein dwelleth the greatness 
of faith and charity, as also the 
hope of that life which is to come. 

6 Wherefore considering this, 
that if I shall take care to com- 
municate to you a part of what I 
have received, it shall turn to my 
reward, ^ that I have served such 
good souls ; I gave diligence to 
write in a few words unto you ; 
that together with your faith, 
your ^ knowledge also may be 
perfect. 

7 There are therefore three 
* things ordained by the Lord; 
the hope of life ; ^ the beginning 
and the completion of it. 

8 For the Lord hath both de- 
clared unto us, by the prophets, 
those things that "'are past; and 

* Natural, Gr. e/u^vyov. See chap. 
xix. e/x^vyov dopeav 6i6axvc ', which the 
Lat. Int. renders, Naturale donum 
Doctrinse. Comp. Jam, i. 21. '^Liber- 
ari : Gr. at videtur aG)-&7ivai. ^ Honesto, 
from the Gr. ija?icK. ■* Comp. Psalm 119, 
33, viz., either by preaching or fulfilling 
the same. ^ Vid. Annot. Vos, in loc. 
•Talibus spiritibus servienti. Usser. 
^ Tvoaic, 8 Aoyuaya KvplH, Constitutions 
of the Lord. • Viz. , faith and charity. 
See before. " Namely, which we are 
to believe. 



' opened to us the beginnings of 
those that are to come. 

9 Wherefore, it will behove 
us, ^ as he has spoken, to come 
' more holily, and nearer to his 
altar. 

10 I therefore, not as a teacher, 
but as one *of you, will en- 
deavor to lay before you a few 
things by which you may, on 
" many accounts, become the more 
joyful. 

CHAP. II. 

Thai God has abolished the legal 
sacrifices, to introduce the spiritual 
righteousness of the Gospel. 

SEEING then the days are 
exceeding evil, and the ad- 
versary has got the power of 
this present ^ world, we ought to 
give the more diligence to in- 
quire into the ^righteous judg- 
ments of the Lord. 

2 ^ Now the assistants of our 
faith are fear and patience; our 
fellow-combatants, long suJGFer- 
ing and continence. 

3 Whilst these remain pure in 
what relates unto the Lord, wis- 
dom, and understanding, and 
science, and knowledge, rejoice 
together with them. 

4 For God has manifested to 
us by all the prophets, that he 
has no occasion for our sacrifices, 
or burnt-offerings, or oblations; 
saying thus : ^ To what purpose 
is the multitude of your sacrifices 
unto me, saith the Lord. 

5 I am full of the burnt-offer- 
ings of rams, and the fat of ^° fed 
beasts ; and I delight not in the 

^ That is, which are to be hoped for, 
and end in love. ^ Given us to know. 
^ Honestius et Altius : the more hon- 
estly and highly. ^Like ourselves. 
5 In many things. ® Age. ' Equities. 
* Comp. Graec Clem, Alex. •Isaiah, 
i. II. ^<^ Lambs. 



(«i) 



spiritual righteousness BARNABAS. 



of the Gospel. 



blood of bullocks, or of he- 
goats. 

6 ' When ye come to appear 
before me ; who hath required 
this at your hands ? Ye shall 
no more tread my courts. 

7 Bring no more vain obla- 
tions, incense is an abomination 
unto me : your new moons and 
sabbaths ; the calling of assem- 
blies I cannot away with, it is 
iniquity, even the solemn meet- 
ing : your new moons and your 
appointed feasts my soul hateth. 

8 These things therefore hath 
God abolished, that the new law 
of our Lord Jesus Christ, which 
is without the yoke of any such 
necessity, might have the spir- 
itual offering of men themselves. 

9 For so the Lord saith again 
to those heretofore : ^ Did I at 
all command your fathers when 
they came out of the land of 
Egypt concerning burnt offer- 
ings or sacrifices. 

10 But this I commanded them, 
saying, * Let none of you imagine 
evil in your hearts against his 
neighbor, and love no false oath. 

1 1 Forasmuch then as we are 
not without understanding, we 
ought to apprehend the design 
* of our merciful Father. For he 
speaks to us, being willing that 
we, who have been in the same 
error about the sacrifices, should 
seek and find how to approach 
unto him. 

12 And therefore he thus be- 
speaks us : ' The sacrifice of God 
(is a broken spirit,) a broken 
and contrite heart God will not 
despise. 

13 Wherefore, brethren, we 
13, 14. ^Jer. vii. 22, 
17. * Of the mercy of 

^ Psaim U. 17. 



* Isaiah, i. 12, 
23. ^ Zach. viii. 
our Father. 



ought the more diligently to in- 
quire after those things that 
belong to our salvation, that the 
adversary may not have any en- 
trance into us, and deprive us of 
our spiritual life. 

14 Wherefore he again speak- 
eth to them, concerning these 
things : ' Ye shall not fast as ye 
do this day, to make your voice 
to be heard on high. 

15 Is it such a fast that I have 
chosen ? A day for a man to af- 
flict his soul ? ^ Is it to bow down 
his head like a bulrush, and to 
spread sackcloth and ashes under 
him ? Wilt thou call this a fast, 
and an acceptable day to the 
Lord? 

16 But to us he saith on this 
wise. ^Is not this the fast that 
I have chosen, to loose the bands 
of wickedness, to undo the heavy 
burdens, and to let the oppressed 
go free ; and that ye break every 
yoke? 

17 " Is it not to deal thy bread 
to the hungry, and that thou 
bring the poor that are cast out 
to thy house ? When thou seest 
the naked, that thou cover him, 
and that thou hide not thj^self 
from thine own flesh ? 

1 8 ' Then shall thy light break 
forth as the morning, and thy 
health shall spring forth speedily; 
and thy righteousness shall go 
before thee, the glory of the 
Lord shall be thy reward. 

19 ^Then shalt thou call and 
the Lord shall answer; thou 
shalt cry and he shall say. Here 
I am. If thou put away from 
the midst of thee the yoke, the 
putting forth of the finger, and 

^ Isa. Iviii. 4. ^Verses. ^ Verse 6. 



(152) 



Verse 7. •* Verse 8. * Verse 9. 



Prophecies in Daniel BARNABAS. concerning Cktist, <Sfc. 



speaking vanity; ^and if thou 
draw out thy soul to the hungry ; 
and satisfy the afflicted soul. 

20 In this therefore, brethren, 
God has manifested his 'fore- 
knowledge and love for us ; be- 
cause the people which he has 
purchased to his beloved Son 
were to believe in ^ sincerity ; and 
therefore he has shewn these 
things to all of us, that we should 
not run as proselj^tes to *the 
Jewish Law. 

CHAP. III. 

The prophecies of Daniel concerning 
the ten kings, a7id the coming of 
Christ. 

WHEREFORE it is necessary 
that searching diligently 
into those ' things which are near 
to come to pass, we should write 
to you what may serve to keep 
you whole. 

2 To which end, let us flee 
from every evil work and hate 
the errors of the present time, 
that we may be ' happy in that 
which is to come : 

3 Let us not give ourselves 
the liberty of disputing with 
the wicked and sinners ; lest we 
should chance in time to become 
like unto them. 

4 For the consummation of 
'sin is come, as it is written, as 
the prophet Daniel says. And 
for this end the Lord hath short- 
ened the times and the da3''S, that 
his beloved might hasten his 
coming to his inheritance. 

5 For so the prophet speaks ; 
* There shall ten kings reign in 
the earth, and there shall rise 

Werse 10. ^ Providence. ^Sim- 
plicity. * Their. ^ Histantibus : read 
Instantibus. ® Beloved. ' Tempta- 
tion. Dan. ix. ^ Dan. vii. 



the 

un- 
be- 



(153) 



last of all another little one, and 
he shall humble three kings. 

6 And again Daniel speaks in 
like manner concerning the king- 
doms ; ' and I saw the fourth 
beast dreadful and terrible, and 
strong exceedingly; and it had 
ten horns. ^ I considered the 
horns, and behold there came up 
among them another little horn, 
before which were three of the 
first horns plucked up by 
roots. 

7 We ought therefore to 
derstand this also: And I 
seech you, as one of your own 
brethren, loving you all beyond 
my own life, that you look well 
to yourselves, and be not like to 
those who ^ add sin to sin, and 
say : That their covenant is ours 
also. Nay, but it is ours only : 
for they have for ever lost that 
which Moses received. 

8 For thus saith the Scripture : 
* And Moses continued fasting 
forty days and forty nights in the 
Mount ; and he received the cove- 
nant from the Lord, even the two 
tables of stone, written by the 
hand of God. 

9 But having turned them- 
selves to idols they lost it ; as the 
Lord also said to Moses : Moses, 
" go down quickly, for thy people 
which thou hast brought forth 
out of Egypt, have corrupted 
themselves, and turned aside 

'from the way which I command- 
ed them. ' And Moses cast the 
two tables out of his hands ; and 
their covenant was broken ; that 
the love of Jesus might be sealed 
in your hearts, unto the hope of 
his faith. 

^ Verse 7. ' Verse 8. ^ Heap up 
sins. *Exod. xxxi. xxxiv. *Exoa. 
xxxii. 7. Deut. ix. 12. ® Ex. xxxii. 19. 



Thit Christ was 



BARNABAS. 



to suffer, proved 



10 Wherefore let us give heed 
unto the last times. For all the 
* time past of our life, and our 
faith, will profit us nothing ; un- 
less we continue to hate what is 
evil, and to withstand the future 
temptations. So the Son of God 
tells us ; Let us resist all iniquity 
and hate it. 

11 Wherefore consider the 
works of the evil way. ^ Do not 
withdraw yourselves from others, 
as if you were already justified; 
but coming altogether into one 
place, inquire what is agreeable 
to and profitable for the beloved 
of God. For the Scripture saith ; 
' Woe unto them that are wise in 
their own eyes, and prudent in 
their own sight. 

12 Let us become spiritual, a 
perfect temple to God. As much 
as in us lies let us meditate upon 
the fear of God; and strive to 
the utmost of our power to keep 
his commandments ; that we may 
rejoice in his righteous judg- 
ments. 

13 For God will judge the 
world without respect of persons ; 
and every one shall receive ac- 
cording to his works. 

14 If a man shall be good, his 
righteousness shall go before 
him ; if wicked, the reward of his 
wickedness shall follow him. 

15 Take heed therefore lest 
sitting still now that we are call- 
ed, we fall asleep in our sins; 
and the wicked one getting the 
dominion over us, stir us up, 
* and shut us out of the kingdom 
of the Lord. 

1 6 Consider this also : although 



'Days. »Heb. x. 
Clem. Alex Isaiah, 
XXV, 7, la 



35. *Vid. Or. 
X. 21. * Matt. 



you have seen so great signs and 
wonders done among the people 
of the Jews, yet this notwith- 
standing the Lord hath forsaken 
them, 

17 Beware therefore, lest it 
happen to us; as it is written. 
' There may be many called, but 
few chosen. 

CHAP. IV. 

That Christ was to suffer, proved from 
the prophecies concerning him. 

FOR this cause did our Lord 
vouchsafe to give up his body 
to destruction, that through the 
forgiveness of our sins we might 
be sanctified ; that is, by the 
sprinkling of his blood. 

2 Now for what concerns the 
things that are written about 
him, some belong to the people 
of the Jews, and some to us. 

3 For thus saith the Scripture : 
* He was wounded for our trans- 
gressions, he was bruised for our 
iniquities, and by his blood we 
are healed. He was led as a lamb 
to the slaughter, and as a sheep 
before his shearers is dumb, so 
he opened not his mouth. 

4 Wherefore we ought the 
more to give thanks unto God, 
for that he hath both declared 
unto us what is passed, ' and not 
suffered us to be without under- 
standing of those things that are 
to come. 

5 But to them he saith, ' The 
nets are not unjustly spread for 
the birds. 

6 This he spake, because a 
man will justly perish, if having 
the knowledge of the way of 
truth, he shall nevertheless not 



' Matt. xxii. 14. 
«Vid. Ed. Ox., p. 



'Isaiah, liii., 5, 7. 
21. * Prov. i. 17, 



from prophecies 



BARNABAS. 



concerning; him. 



refrain himself from the way of 
darkness. 

7 And for this cause the Lord 
was content to suffer for our 
souls, although he be the Lord 
of the whole earth ; to whom 
God said before the beginning 
of the world, ' Let us make man 
after our own imagine and like- 
ness. 

8 Now how he suffered for us, 
seeing it was by men that he un- 
derwent it, '^ I will shew you. 

9 The prophets having re- 
ceived from him the gift of 
prophecy, spake before concern- 
ing him : 

10 But he, that he might 
abolish death, and make known 
the resurrection from the dead, 
was content, as it was necessary, 
to appear in the flesh, that he 
might make good the promise 
before given to our fathers, and 
preparing himself a new people, 
might demonstrate to them 
whilst he was upon earth, that 
after the resurrection he would 
judge the world. 

11 And finally teaching the 
people of Israel, and doing many 
wonders and signs among them, 
he preached to them, and shewed 
the exceeding great love which 
he bare towards them. 

12 And when he chose his 
apostles, which were afterwards 
to publish his Gospel, he took 
men who had been very great 
sinners; that thereby he might 
plainly shew, ^ That he came not 
to call the righteous, but sinners 
to repentance. 

13 Then he clearly manifested 
himself to be the Son of God. 
For had he not come in the flesh, 

* Gen. i. 26. ' Learn. * Matt. ix. 13. 



(155) 



how should men have been able 
to look upon him, that they 
might be saved? 

14 Seeing if they beheld only 
the sun, which was the work of 
his hands, and shall hereafter 
cease to be, they are not able to 
endure steadfastly to look against 
the rays of it. 

15 Wherefore the son of God 
came in the flesh for this cause, 
that he might fill up the measure 
of their iniquity, who have per- 
secuted his prophets unto death. 
And for the same reason also he 
suffered. 

16 For God hath said of the 
^stripes of his flesh, that they 
were from them. And, ^ I will 
smite the shepherd, and the 
sheep of the flock shall be scat- 
tered. 

17 Thus he would suffer, be 
cause it behooved him to suffei 
upon the cross. 

18 For thus one saith, prophe- 
sying concerning him: 'Spare 
my soul from the sword. And 
again. Pierce my flesh from thy 
fear. 

19 And again, the congrega- 
tion of wicked doers rose up 
against me, * (They have pierced 
my hands and my feet). 

20 And again he saith, I 
gave my back to the smiters, 
^and my face I set as an hard 
rock. 

^ Namely, from the Jews, ^ Zach. 
xiii. 6, 7. 2 According to the lxx. 
Psalm xxii, 20. Psalm cxix, 120, Psalm 
xxii. 16, 17. * These words were doubt- 
less cited thus by Barnabas, because 
that without them, those foregoing do 
not prove the Crucifixion of Christ. 
But through the repetition of the same 
preposition, this latter part was so 
early omitted, that it was not in the 
Latin interpreter's copy. 'Isaiah, 1. 6, 



Prophecies concerning BARNABAS. 



Christ s sufferings. 



CHAP. V. 

The subject continued. 

AND when he had fulfilled 
the commandment of God, 
What says he ? ' Who will con- 
tend with me? Let him stand 
against me: or who is he that 
will implead me ? Let him draw 
near to the servant of the Lord. 
Woe be to you! ^ Because ye shall 
all wax old as a garment, the 
moth shall eat you up. 

2 And again the prophet adds, 

* He is put for a stone for stum- 
bling. " Behold I lay in Zion for 
a foundation, a precious stone, a 
choice corner-stone, an honor- 
able stone. And what follows? 
And he that hopeth in him shall 
live for ever. 

3 What then? Is our hope 
built upon a stone ? God forbid. 
But because the Lord hath ^ hard- 
ened his flesh against suffer- 
ings, he saith, * I have put me as 
a firm reck. 

4 And again the prophet adds, 
'The stone which the builders 
refused has become the head of 
the corner. And again he saith, 

* This is the great and wonderful 
day which the Lord hath made. 

* I write these things the more 
plainly to you that ye may un- 
derstand: ^^ For indeed I could 
be content even to die for your 
sakes. 

5 But what saith the prophet 
again? "The counsel of the 
wicked encompassed me about. 
"They came about me, as bees 

* Isaiah, 1. 8. 9. ^ Rep. In. ^Isaiah, 
viii, 14. * Isaiah, xxviii. 16. ^ Gr. Put 
in streno:th, or strengthened. ^ Isaiah, 
I. 7. ''Psalm cxviii. 22. ^ Verse 24. 
Clem. Alex. Strom, v. 'This is not 
in the Old Latin Version. ^^ Vid. Ed. 
Ox., p. 29, a irtpiriiia rvq ayan7]c vfiav. 
** Psalm xxii, 16. " Psahn cxviii. 12. 



about the honey-comb. And, 
' upon my vesture they cast lots. 

6 Forasmuch then as our Sav- 
iour was to appear in the flesh, 
and suffer, his passion was here- 
by foretold. 

7 For thus saith the prophet 
against Israel : ' Woe be to their 
soul, because they have taken 
wicked counsel against them- 
selves, saying, let us 'lay snares 
for the righteous, because he is 
unprofitable to us. 

8 Moses also in like manner 
speaketh to them : * Behold thus 
saith the Lord God, Enter ye 
into the good land of which the 
Lord hath sworn to Abraham, 
and Isaac, and Jacob, that he 
would give it you, and possess 
it ; a land flowing with milk and 
honey. 

9 Now what the spiritual 
meaning of this is, learn : ^ It is 
as if it has been said. Put your 
trust in Jesus, who shall be 
manifested to you in the flesh. 
For man is the earth which 
suffers ; forasmuch as out of the 
^substance of the earth Adam 
was formed. 

10 What therefore does he 
mean when he says. Into a good 
land flowing with milk and hon- 
ey? Blessed be our Lord, who 
has given us wisdom, and a heart 
to understand his secrets. For 
so says the prophet, ^Who shall 
understand the hard sayings of 
the Lord ? ^ But he that is wise, 
and intelligent, and that loves 
his Lord. 

1 1 Seeing therefore he has re- 
newed us by the remission of our 

^ Psalm xxii. 18. ^ Isaiah iii. 9. ^ Bind. 
*Exod. xxxiii. i. ''Vid. Cot. An. Marg. 
ex Clem. Alex. • npoooTra. ' Osee, xiv. 
ult. * Prov. i. 6. Ec. i. 10, 



(156) 



The scape-goat 



BARNABAS. 



typical of Christ, 



sins, he has ' put us into another 
frame, that we should have souls 
'like those of children, forming 
us again himself '^ by the spirit. 

12 For ^thus the Scripture 
saith concerning us, * where it 
introduceth the Father speabing 
to the Son : ' Let us make man 
after our likeness and similitude ; 
and let them have dominion over 
the beasts of the earth, and over 
the fowls of the air, and over the 
fish of the sea. 

13 And when the Lord saw the 
man which he had formed, that 
behold he was very good; he 
said, ^ Increase and multiply, and 
replenish the earth. And this 
he spake to his son. 

14 I will now shew you, how 
he made us ^ a new creature, in 
the latter days : 

15 The Lord saith; 'Behold I 
will make the last as the first. 
Wherefore the prophet thus 
spake : * Enter into the land flow- 
ing with milk and honey, and 
have dominion over it. 

16 Wherefore ye see how we 
are again formed anew; as also 
he speaks by another prophet: 
" Behold saith the Lord, I will 
take from them, that is, from 
those whom the spirit of the Lord 
foresaw, their hearts of stone, and 
I will put into them hearts of 
flesh. 

17 Because he was about to be 
made manifest in the flesh and to 
dwell in us. 

18 For, my brethren, the hab- 



* Gr. made us another form. * Vid. 
Ed. Ox., p, 30. b. 3vid. Vet. Lat. 
In. ■* As he saith to the Son. * Gen. 
i. 26. &c. ^ Gen. i. 28. ' Gr. a second 
formation. ^ Isaiah, xliii. 18, 19, Matt. 
XX. 16. ' Comp. Heb. iii. " Ezek. xi. 
19 



itation of our heart is a ' holy 
temple unto the Lord. For the 
Lord saith again, "" In what place 
shall I appear before the Lord 
my God, and be glorified? 

19 He answers I will confess 
unto thee in the congregation in 
the midst of my brethren; and 
will sing unto thee in the church 
of the saints. 

20 Wherefore we are they 
whom he has brought into that 
good land. 

2 1 ^But what signifies the milk 
and honey ? Because as the child 
is nourished first with milk, and 
then with honey; so we being 
kept alive by the belief of his 
promises, and his word, shall live 
and have dominion over the land. 

22 For he foretold above, say- 
ing, increase and multiply, and 
have dominion over the fishes, 
&c. 

23 But who is there that is now 
able to have this dominion over 
the wild beasts, or fishes, or fowls 
of the air ? For you know that to 
rule is to have power, that a man 
should be set over what he rules. 

24 But forasmuch as this we 
have not now, he tells us when 
we shall have it ; namely, when 
we shall become perfect, that we 
may be made the inheritors of 
the covenant of the Lord. 



CHAP. VI. 
The scape-goat an evident type of this. 

UNDERSTAND then, my be- 
loved children, that the good 
God hath before manifested all 
things unto us, that we might 
know to whom we ought always 
to give thanks and praise. 

2 If therefore the Son of God 
* So St. Paul, I Cor. iii. 16, 17, vi. 
19. * Psalm xliL 2. *Jer. xxxii. 22. 
(157) 



77ie same subject 



BARNABAS. 



continued. 



who is the Lord of all, and shall 
come to judge both the quick 
and dead, hath suffered, that by 
his stripes we might live : let us 
believe that the Son of God could 
not have suffered but for us. But, 
being crucified, they gave him 
vinegar and gall to drink. 

3 Hear therefore how the 
priests of the temple did f oreshew 
this also : ' the Lord by his com- 
mand whiqh was written, declar- 
ed that whosoever did not fast the 
appointed fast he ^ should die the 
death : because he also was him- 
self one day to offer up his ^ body 
for our sins ; that so the type of 
what was done in " Isaac might 
be fulfilled, who was offered 
upon the altar. 

4 What therefore is it that he 
says by the prophet ? ^ And let 
them eat of the goat which is 
offered in the day of the fast for 
all their sins. Hearken diligent- 
ly, (my brethren,) and all the 
priests, and they only, shall eat 
the inwards, not washed with 
vinegar. 

5 Why so? because *I know 
that when I shall hereafter offer 
my flesh for the sins of a new 
people, ye will give me vinegar 
to drink mixed with gall ; there- 
fore do ye only eat, the people 
fasting the while, and lamenting 
in sackcloth and ashes. 

6 And that he might foreshew 
that he was to suffer for them, 
hear then how he appointed it. 

7 'Take, says he, two goats, 

*In same manner applied Heb. ix. 
'Levit. xxiii. 29. ^The vessel of his 
spirit. * Gen. xxii. ^ Numb, xxix,, 
&c., Vic. Cot. in Marg. et Annot. in 
loc. • Vid. Annot. Cot. ' Levit. xvi. 
Vid. Maimon, tract, de die Exp. Edit. 
du Veil. p. 350, &C 



(158) 



fair and alike, and offer them; and 
let the high priest take one of 
them for a burnt-offering. And 
what must be done with the other? 
Let it, says he, be accursed. 

8 Consider how exactly this 
appears to have been a type of 
Jesus. ^And let all the congre- 
gation spit upon it, and prick it, 
and put the scarlet wool about its 
head; and thus let it be carried 
forth into the wilderness. 

9 And this being done, he that 
was appointed to convey the goat, 
led it into the wilderness, 'and 
took away the scarlet wool, and 
put it upon a thorn-bush, whose 
'young sprouts when we find 
them in the field we are wont to 
eat: so the fruit of that thorn 
only is sweet. 

10 And to what end was this 
ceremony? Consider; one was 
offered upon the altar, the other 
was accursed. 

1 1 And why was that which 
was accursed crowned ? Because 
they shall see Christ in that day 
having a scarlet garment about 
his body ; and shall say : Is not 
this he whom we crucified ; hav- 
ing despised him, pierced him, 
mocked him ? Certainly, this is 
he, who then said, that he was 
the Son of God. 

12 *As therefore he shall be 
then like to what he was on 
earth, so were the Jews heretofore 
commanded, to take two goats 
fair and equal ; That when they 
shall see (our Saviour) hereafter 
coming (in the clouds of heaven), 
they may be amazed at the like- 
ness of the goats. 

^ Vid. Edit. Ox. p. 40, a. 41. b. 
2 Vid. Maim. ib. p. 341, &c. ^Vid 
Voss. in loc. * The Greek is imperfiect. 



Christ typified 



BARNABAS. 



eiy the red heifer. 



13 Wherefore *ye here again 
see a type of Jesus who was to 
suffer for us. 

14 But what then signifies 
this, That the wool was to be 
put into the midst of the thorns ? 

15 This also is a figure of 
Jesus, set out to the church. For 
as he who would take away the 
scarlet wool must undergo many 
difiiculties, because that thorn 
was very sharp, and with diffi- 
culty get it : ''So they, says Christ, 
that will see me, and come to my 
kingdom, must through many 
afflictions and troubles attain 
unto me. 

CHAP. VII. 

The red heifer^ another type of Christ. 

BUT what ' type do ye suppose 
it to have been, where it is 
commanded " to the people of Is- 
rael, that grown persons in whom 
sins are come to perfection, 
should offer an heifer, and after 
they had killed it should burn 
the same. 

2 But then young men should 
take up the ashes and put them in 
vessels ; and tie a piece of scarlet 
wool and hyssop upon a stick, and 
so the young men should sprinkle 
every one of the people, and they 
should be clear from their sins. 

3 Consider how all these are 
delivered in a 'figure to us. 

4 This heifer is Jesus Christ; 
the wicked men that were to offer 
it are those sinners who brought 
him to death, who afterwards 
have no more to do with it ; the 
sinners have no more the honor 
of handling of it : 

^ Vid. Lat. Ver. ' Acts xiv. 22. 
2 Numb. xix. ■* That this was also a 
type of Christ, see Heb. ix. 13. ' Vid. 
Vet Lat. Interpr. Simplicity, Gr. 



(159) 



5 But the young men that per- 
formed the sprinkling, signified 
those who preach to us the for- 
giveness of sins, and the purifica- 
tion of the heart, to whom the 
Lord gave authority to preach 
his Gospel ; being at the begin- 
ning twelve, ' to signify the 
tribes, because there were twelve 
tribes of Israel. 

6 But why were there three 
young men appointed to sprink- 
le? To denote Abraham, and 
Isaac, and Jacob, because they 
were great before God. 

7 And why was the wool put 
upon a "^ stick ? Because the king- 
dom of Jesus was founded upon 
the ^ cross; and therefore they 
that put their trust in him, shall 
live for ever. 

8 But why were the wool and 
hyssop put together ? To signify 
that in the kingdom of Christ 
there shall be evil and filthy 
days, in which however we shall 
be saved ; and * because he that 
has any disease in the flesh by 
some filthy humors, is cured by 
hyssop. 

9 Wherefore these things be- 
ing thus done, are to us indeed 
evident, but to the ^ Jews they are 
obscure ; because they barkened 
not unto the voice of the Lord. 

CHAP. VIIL 

Of the circumcision of the ears ; and 
how in the first institution of circum- 
cision^ Abraham mystically foretold 
Christ by name. 

ND therefore the Scripture 
again speaks concerning our 
ears, that God has circumcised 
them, together with our hearts. 
For thus saith the Lord by the 

^Gr. to testify. ^Wood, «Vid. 
Coteler in loc. *Them. 'Septuag. 
Psalms xvii. 45. 



A 



Of the circumcision 



BARNABAS. 



of the ears. 



holy prophet : ' By the hearing 
of the ear they obeyed me. 

2 And again, ^They who are 
afar off, shall hear and under- 
stand what things I have done. 
And again, ' Circumcise your 
hearts, saith the Lord. 

3 And again he saith, ' Hear 
O Israel! For thus saith the 
Lord thy God. And again the 
Spirit of God prophesieth, say- 
ing : ^ Who is there that would 
live for ever, ^ let him hear the 
voice of my Son. 

4 And again, ^ Hear O Heav- 
en and give ear O Earth ! Because 
the Lord has spoken these things 
for a witness. 

5 And again he saith, ®Hear 
the word of the Lord, ye princes 
of the people. And again, " Hear 

children! The voice of one 
crying in the wilderness. 

6 Wherefore he has circum- 
cised our ears, that we should 
hear his word, and believe. But 
as for that circumcision, in which 
the Jews trust, it is abolished. 
For the circumcision, of which 
God spake, was not of the flesh; 

7 But they have transgressed 
his commands, because the evil 
"one hath deceived them. For 
thus God bespeaks them ; '' Thus 
saith the Lord your God, (Here 

1 find the new law) Sow not 
among thorns; but circumcise 
yourselves to the Lord your God. 
And what doth he mean by this 
saying? Hearken unto your 
Lord. 

8 And again he saith, '^ Circum- 
cise the hardness of your heart, 

^ Isaiah, xxxiii. 13. ^ Jer. iv. 4. ^Jer. 
vii. 2. * Psalms xxxiii, xxxiv. ^ Is- 
aiah, i. 10. ^ Isaiah, i. 2. '' Isaiah, i. 
10. * Isaiah, xl. 3. ' Angel. ^° Jer. 
iv,3. 4. "Jer.iv. 4. "Deut. x. 16. 



and harden not your neck. And 
again, ' Behold, saith the Lord, 
all the nations are uncircumcis- 
ed, (they have not lost their 
fore-skin) ; but this people is 
uncircumcised in heart. 

9 But you will say ^ the Jews 
were circumcised for a sign. 
^And so are all the Syrians and 
Arabians, and all the idolatrous 
priests; but are they therefore 
of the covenant of Israel ? And 
even the Egyptians themselves 
are circumcised. 

10 Understand therefore, chil- 
dren, these things more fully, 
that Abraham, who was the first 
that brought in circumcision, 
looking forward in the Spirit to 
Jesus, circumcised, having re- 
ceived the mystery of three let- 
ters. 

11 For the Scripture says 
that Abraham circumcised three 
hundred and eighteen men of 
his house. " But what therefore 
was the mystery that was made 
known unto him ? 

12 Mark, first the eighteen, 
and next the three hundred. 
For the numeral letters of ten 
and eight are I H. And these 
denote Jesus. 

13 And because the cross was 
that by which we were to find 
grace; therefore he adds, three 
hundred ; the note of which is 
T (the figure of his cross). 
Wherefore by two letters he 
signified Jesus, and by the third 
his cross. 



2Vid. 
Rom, 



Cot. 



in loc, 
ii. 25. 



* That people, 
conter. Orig, ad Kom, cap 
^That many others of the ancient 
Fathers have concurred with him 
in this, see Cot. in loc. Add. Eund., 
P- 34» 35, ibid. Ed., &c., &c. *Genu- 
me. 



C160) 



Spiritual meaning 



BARNABAS. 



of clean and unclean 



14 He who has put the engraft- 
ed gift of his doctrine within us, 
knows that I never taught to any 
one a more certain truth ; but I 
trust that ye are worthy of it. 

CHAP. IX. 

That the comma7ids of Moses concern- 
ing clean a7id unclean beasts, &c. , 
were all designed for a spiritual 
signification. 

BUT why did Moses say, ' Ye 
shall not eat of the swine, 
neither the eagle, nor the hawk ; 
nor the crow ; nor any fish that 
has not a scale upon him? — I 
answer, that in the spiritual 
sense, he comprehended three 
doctrines, that were to be "" gather- 
ed from thence. 

2 Besides which he says to 
them in the Book of Deuteron- 
omy, And I will give my statutes 
unto this people. Wherefore it 
is not the command of God that 
they not should eat these things ; 
but Moses in the spirit spake 
unto them. 

3 Now the sow he forbade them 
to eat ; meaning thus much : 
thou shalt not join thyself to 
such persons as are like unto 
swine ; who whilst they live in 
pleasure, forget their God; but 
when any want pinches them, 
then they know the Lord : as the 
sow when she is full knows not 
her master; but when she is 
hungry she makes a noise ; and 
being again fed, is silent. 

4 Neither, says he, shalt thou 
eat the eagle, nor the hawk, nor 
the kite, nor the crow; that is, 

' That in this he goes on the received 
opinion of the RR. Vid. Annot. Cotel. 
and Ed. Ox. in loc. Lev. xi. Deut. 
xiv. Add. Ainsworth on Lev. xi. I., 
and Deut. xiv 4. * In the understand- 
ing. Deut. iv. 



thou shalt not keep company 
with such kind of men as know 
not how by their labor and sweat 
to get themselves food: but in- 
juriously ravish away the things 
of others ; and watch how to lay 
snares for them; when at the 
same time they appear to live in 
perfect innocence. 

5 ( ' So these birds alone seek 
not food for themselves, but) sit- 
ting idle seek how they may eat 
of the flesh others have provid- 
ed; being destructive through 
their wickedness. 

6 Neither, says he, shalt thou 
eat the lamprey, not the polypus, 
nor the cuttle-fish ; that is, thou 
shalt not be like such men, by 
using to converse with them; 
who are ^altogether wicked and 
adjudged to death. For so those 
fishes are alone accursed, and 
wallow in the mire, nor swim as 
other fishes, but tumble in the 
dirt at the bottom of the deep. 

7 But, he adds, ^neither shalt 
thou eat of the hare. To what 
end ? — To signify this to us : 
^ Thou shalt not be an adulterer ; 
nor liken thyself to such persons. 
For the hare every year multi- 
plies ^ the places of its conception ; 
and as many years as it lives, so 
many 'it has. 

8 Neither shalt thou eat of the 
hyena: that is, again, be not an 
adulterer, nor a corrupter of 
others; neither be like to such. 
And wherefore so ? — '^ Because 
that creature every year changes 

1 Vid. antiq. Lat. Vers. ^ Wicked to 
the end. ^ See Coteler Annot. in loc. 
* Thou shalt not abuse thyself with 
mankind. ^ A'doSevaiv. ^ Tpvirac. ' So 
several naturalists have affirmed, 
though others deny it.— See Annot. 
Coteler in loc. 



(i6i) 



deasis under the 



BARNABAS. 



law of Moses, 



its kind, and is sometimes male, 
and sometimes female. 

9 For which cause also he just- 
ly hated the weazel ; to the end 
that they should not be like such 
persons who with their mouths 
commit wickedness, by reason of 
their uncleanness ; nor j oin them- 
selves with those impure women, 
who with their mouths commit 
wickedness. ^ Because that ani- 
mal conceives with its mouth. 

10 Moses therefore, speaking 
as concerning meats, delivered 
indeed three great precepts to 
them in the spiritual significa- 
tion of those commands. But 
they according to the desires of 
the flesh, understood him as if he 
had only meant it of meats. 

1 1 And therefore David took 
aright the knowledge of his 
three-fold command, saying in 
like manner : 

12 'Blessed is the man that 
hath not walked in the counsel 
of the ungodly ; as the fishes be- 
fore mentioned in the bottom of 
the deep in darkness ; 

13 Nor stood in the way of 
sinners, as they who seem to 
fear the Lord, but yet sin, as the 
sow. 

14 And hath not sat in the 
seat of the scorners; as those 
birds who sit and watch that 
they may devour. 

15 Here you have the law con- 
cerning meat perfectly set forth, 
and according to the true knowl- 
edge of it. 

16 But, says Moses, 'ye shall 
eat all that divideth the hoof, and 

* Vid. Arist. apud Euseb. Prsep. 
Evang. L. vii. cap. 9. Add Coteler 
in loc. • Psalm i. i. « See Edit. Ox. 
p. 64, a. So Iren. adv. Her. 1. v. c. 87. 



cheweth the cud. Signifying 
thereby such an one as having 
taken his food, knows him that 
nourisheth him ; and resting up- 
on him, rejoiceth in him. 

17 And in this he spake well, 
having respect to the command- 
ment. ' What therefore is it that 
he says? — That we should hold 
fast to them that fear the Lord ; 
with those who meditate on the 
command of the w^ord which they 
have received, in their heart; 
with those that declare the right- 
eous judgments of the Lord, and 
keep his commandments ; 

18 In short, with those who 
know that to meditate is a work 
of pleasure, and therefore ' exer- 
cise themselves in the word of 
the Lord. 

19 But why might they eat 
those that clave the hoof? — Be- 
cause the righteous liveth in this 
present world ; but his expecta- 
tion is fixed upon the other. See, 
brethren, how admirably Moses 
commanded these things. 

20 But how should we thus 
know all this, and understand it ? 
We, therefore, understanding 
aright the commandments, speak 
as the Lord would have us. 
Wherefore he has circumcised 
our ears and our hearts, that we 
might know these things. 

CHAP. X. 

Baptism and the cross of Christ fore- 
told in figures under the law. 

LET us now inquire whether 
the Lord took care to mani- 
fest anything beforehand con- 
cerning water and the cross. 

^Comp. Clem. Alex, 1. iii. c. 11, et. 
simil. Orig. Theod. &c., Coteler. 
Annot. in loc. * Ruminate upon. 



(162) 



Baptism and 



BARNABAS. 



the cross of Christ 



2 Now for the former of these, 



it is written to the people of Is- 
rael how they shall not receive 
that baptism which brings to for- 
giveness of sins ; but shall insti- 
tute another to themselves that 
cannot. 

3 For thus saith the prophet : 
' Be astonished, O Heaven ! and 
let the earth tremble at it, be- 
cause this people have done two 
great and wicked things; they 
have left me, the fountain of liv- 
ing water, and have digged for 
themselves broken cisterns, that 
can hold no water. 

4 Is my holy mountain a ^Zion, 
a desolate wilderness ? — ^ For ye 
shall be as a young bird when 
its nest is taken away. 

5 And again the prophet saith, 
* I will go before thee, and will 
make plain the mountains, and 
will break the gates of brass, and 
will snap in sunder the bars of 
iron; and will give thee dark, 
and hidden, and invisible treas- 
ures, that they may know that I 
am the Lord God. 

6 And again : He shall dwell 
' in the high den of the strong 
rock. And then, what follows in 
the same prophet ? His water is 
faithful: ye shall see the king 
with glory, and your soul shall 
learn the fear of the Lord. 

7 And again he saith in an- 
other prophet: He that does 
these things ; ^ shall be like a tree 
planted by the currents of water, 
which shall give its fruit in its 
season. Its leaf also shall not 
wither, and whatsoever he doeth 
it shall prosper. 

* Jeremiah, ii. 12. • Vid. Annot 
Coteler. and Ed. Oxon. in loc. » Isa- 
iah, xvi. I, 2. * Isaiah, xlv. 2. 'Isa- 
iah, xxxiii. 16, 17. «PsaUn i. 

(163) 



8 As for the wicked it is not 
so with them ; but they are as the 
dust which the wind scattereth 
away from the face of the earth. 

9 Therefore the ungodly shall 
not stand in the judgment, nei- 
ther the sinners in the council of 
the righteous. For the Lord 
knoweth the way of the right- 
eous, and the way of the ungodly 
shall perish. 

10 Consider how he has joined 
both the cross and the water to- 
gether. 

1 1 For this he saith : Blessed 
are they who put their trust in 
the cross, and descend into the 
water: for they shall have their 
reward in due time: then, saith 
he, will I give it them, 

1 2 But as concerning the pres- 
ent time, he saith, their leaves 
shall not fall : meaning thereby, 
that every word that shall go out 
of your mouth, shall through 
faith and charity be to the con- 
version and hope of many. 

13 In like manner doth another 
prophet speak. 'And the land 
of Jacob was the praise of all the 
earth ; ' magnifying thereby ' the 
vessel of his spirit. 

14 And what follows? — And 
there was a river running on the 
right hand, and beautiful trees 
grew up by it; and he that shall 
eat of them shall live for ever. 
The signification of which is this': 
that we go down into the water 
full of sins and pollutions ; but 
come up again, bringing forth 
fruit ; having in our hearts the 
fear and hope which is in Jesus, by 

'Zeph. iii. 20. «For tbto Xeyei and 
o, the Old Interpreter did not read • 
and Clemens Alex. lib. iii. Strom p' 
463, transcribing this passage, hath 
them not « i. e. The body of Christ 



foretold under 



BARNABAS. 



the law. 



the spirit. And whosoever shall 
eat of them shall live for ever. 

15 That is, whosoever shall 
hearken to those who call them, 
and shall believe, shall live for 
ever. 

CHAP. XI. 
The subject continued. 

IN like manner he determines 
concerning the cross in ' an- 
other prophet, saying : And when 
shall these thing be fulfilled ? 

2 The Lord answers: When 
the tree that is fallen shall rise, 
and when blood shall drop down 
from the tree. Here you have 
again mention made, both of the 
cross, and of him that was to be 
crucified upon it. 

3 "^ And yet farther he saith by 
Moses: (when Israel was fight- 
ing with and beaten by, a strange 
people ; to the end that God 
might put ^ them in mind how 
that for their sins they were 
delivered unto death) yea, the 
holy spirit put it into the heart 
of Moses, to represent both the 
sign of the cross, and of him 
that was to suffer ; that so they 
might know that if they did not 
believe in him, they should be 
overcome for ever. 

4 Moses therefore * piled up 
armour upon armour in the 
middle of a rising ground, and 
standing up high above all of 
them, stretched forth his arms, 
and so Israel again conquered. 

5 But no sooner did he let 

Wid. Conject. Edit. Oxon. Comp. 
iv. Esdr. v. 4, et Obs. Cot. in loc. 
' See St. Hier. in like manner. Annot. 
D. Bernard, p. 124, Edit. Oxon. Exod. 
xvii. 2 That were so beaten. * Again 
set them in array, being armed. Lat. 
Vers. 



(164J 



down his hands, but they were 
again slain. And why so? — To 
the end they might know, that 
except they trust in him they 
cannot be saved. 

6 And in another prophet, he 
saith, ' I have stretched out my 
hands all the day long to a peo- 
ple disobedient, and speaking 
against my righteous way. 

7 And again Moses makes a 
^type of Jesus, to show that he 
was to die, and then that he, 
whom they thought to be dead, 
was to give life to others ; in the 
^type of 'those that fell in 
Israel. 

8 For God caused all kinds of 
serpents to bite them, and they 
died ; forasmuch as by a serpent 
transgression began in Eve ; that 
so he might convince them that 
for their transgressions they 
shall be delivered into the pain 
of death. 

9 Moses then himself, who 
had commanded them, saying, 
^ Ye shall not make to yourselves 
any graven or molten image, to 
be your God; j^et now did so 
himself, that he might represent 
to them the figure of the Lord 
Jesus. 

10 For he made a brazen ser- 
pent, and set it up on high, and 
called the people together by a 
proclamation ; where being come, 
they entreated Moses that he 
would make an atonement for 
them, and pray that they might 
be healed. 

11 Then Moses spake unto 
them, saying : when any one 
among you shall be bitten, let 

^Isaiah, Ixv. 2. ^So Irenseus, Just. 
Mart., St. Chrysost. &c. Vid. Edit. 
Oxon. p. 77, a. 2 Sign. * Israel fall- 
ing. *Deut. xxvii. 15. 



God^s promises 



BARNABAS. 



made to 



him come unto the serpent that 
is set upon the pole ; and let him 
assuredly trust in him, that 
though he be dead, yet he is able 
to give life, and presently he 
shall be saved ; and so they did. 
See therefore how here also you 
have in this the glory of Jesus ; 
and that ^ in him and to him are 
all things. 

12 Again; What says Moses 
to Jesus the Son of Nun, when 
he gave that name unto him, as 
being a prophet, that all the peo- 
ple might hear him alone, ^be- 
cause the father did manifest all 
things concerning his son Jesus, 
in "^ Jesus the Son of Nun; and 
gave him that name when he 
sent him to spy out the land of 
Canaan ; * he said ; Take a book 
in thine hands, and write what 
the Lord saith: Forasmuch as 
Jesus the Son of God shall in the 
last days cut off by the roots all 
the house of Amalek. See here 
again Jesus, not the son of man, 
but the Son of God, made mani- 
fest in a type and in the flesh. 

13 But because it might here- 
after be said, that Christ was the 
Son of David ; ^ therefore David 
fearing and well knowing the 
errors of the wicked, saith : ^ the 
Lord said unto my Lord, sit thou 
on my right hand until I make 
thine enemies thy footstool. 

14 And again Isaiah speaketh 
on this wise, The Lord said unto 
'Christ my Lord, I have laid 
hold on his right hand, that the 

^ Rom. xi. 36. 2 Deut. xviii. 15, 18. 
^So the other Fathers. Just. Mart &c. 
Vid. Edit. Oxon., p. 79. * vid. Interp. 
Vet. Lat. Exod. xvii. 14. « Comp. Vet. 
Lat. Interp. « Psalms ex. i. ' Vid. 
Annot. Coteler, in loc. Edit Oxon., 
p. 78, c Isaiah, xlv. i. 



(i6s) 



nations should obey before him, 
and I will break the strength of 
kings. 

15 Behold, how doth 'David 
and Isaiah call him Lord, and 
the Son of God. 

CHAP. XIL 

The pro7nise of God not tnade to the 
Jews only, but to the Gentiles alsOy 
and fulfilled to us by Jesus Christ. 

BUT let us go yet farther, and 
inquire whether this people 
be the heir, or the former ; and 
whether the covenant be with us 
or with them. 

2 And first, as concerning the 
people, hear now what the Scrip- 
ture saith. 

3 ^ Isaac prayed for his wife 
Rebekah, because she was bar- 
ren; and she conceived. After- 
wards Rebekah went forth to in- 
quire of the Lord. 

4 And the Lord said unto her: 
There are two nations in thy 
womb, and two people shall 
come from thy body; and the 
one shall have power over the 
other, and the greater shall serve 
the lesser. Understand here who 
was Isaac; who Rebekah; and 
of whom it was foretold, this 
people shall be greater than that. 

5 And in another prophecy 
Jacob speaketh more clearly to 
his son Joseph, saying : ^ Behold 
the Lord hath not deprived me 
of seeing thy face, bring me thy 
sons that I may bless them. 
And he brought unto his father 
" Manasseh and Ephraim, desir- 
ing that he should bless Manas- 
seh, because he was the elder. 

^ Comp. Vet. Lat. Interp. ^ Gen. 
XXV. 21. Comp. St. Paul, Rom. ix. 
Just. Mart., Tert. &c. Vid. Ed. Oxon., 
p. II, a. *Gen. xlviii. * Vid. Lat. 
Interp. Vet. 



the Gentiles, and 



BARNABAS. 



fulfilled in Christ. 



6 Therefore Joseph brought 
him to the right hand of his 
father Jacob. But Jacob by the 
spirit foresaw the figure of the 
people that was to come. 

7 And what saith the Scrip- 
ture? And Jacob crossed his 
hands, and put his right hand 
upon Ephraim, his second, and 
the younger son, and blessed 
him. And Joseph said unto 
Jacob : Put thy right hand upon 
the head of Manasseh, for he is 
my first-born son. And Jacob 
said unto Joseph : I know it, my 
son, I know it; but the greater 
shall serve the lesser; though 
he also shall be blessed. 

8 Ye see ofwhom he appointed 
it, that they should be the first 
people, and heirs of the covenant. 

9 If therefore God shall have 
yet farther taken notice of this 
by Abraham too ; our under- 
standing of it will then be per- 
fectly established. 

10 What then saith the Scrip- 
ture to Abraham, when he ' be- 
lieved, and it was imputed unto 
him for righteousness? Behold 
I have made thee a father of the 
nations, which without circum- 
cision believe in the Lord. 

11 Let us therefore now in- 
quire, whether God has fulfilled 
the covenant, which he sware to 
our fathers, that he would give 
this people ? Yes, verily, he gave 
it ; but they were not worthy to 
receive it by reason of their sins. 

1 2 For thus saith the prophet : 
' And Moses continued fasting in 
Mount Sinai, to receive the cove- 
nant of the Lord with the people, 
forty days and forty nights. 

* Gen. XV. 6. So St. Paul himself ap- 
plies this : Rom. iv. 3. ' Exod. xxiv. 18. 



13 ^ And he received of the 
Lord two tables written with the 
finger of the Lord's hand in the 
Spirit. And Moses when he had 
received them brought them 
down that he might deliver 
them to the people. 

14 And the Lord said unto 
Moses ; ^ Moses, Moses, get thee 
down quickly, for the people 
which thou broughtest out of 
the land of Egypt have done 
wickedly. 

1 5 And Moses understood that 
they had again set up a molten 
image ; and he cast the two ta- 
bles out of his hands; and the 
tables of the covenant of the 
Lord were broken. Moses there- 
fore received them, but they were 
not worthy. 

16 Now then learn how we 
have received them. Moses, be- 
ing a servant, took them ; but 
the Lord himself has given them 
unto us, that we might be the 
people of his inheritance, having 
suffered for us. 

17 He was therefore made 
manifest; that they should fill 
up the measure of their sins, and 
that we 'being made heirs by 
him, should receive the covenant 
of the Lord Jesus. 

18 And again the prophet 
saith: * Behold, I have set thee 
for a light unto the Gentiles, to 
be ' the saviour of all the ends of 
the earth, saith the Lord the God 
who hath redeemed thee. 

1 9 Who for that very end was 
prepared, that by his own ap- 
pearing he might redeem our 



^ Deut. ix. 10. Exod. 

* Exod. xxxii. 7. Deut. ix. 
Lat. Interp. Vet. 

* For salvation unto. 



xxxi. 18. 

12. fVid. 

Isaiah, xlix. 6. 



(166) 



Jewish Sabbath 



BARNABAS. 



typical. 



hearts, already devoured by 
death, and delivered over to the 
irregularity of error, from dark- 
ness; and establish a covenant 
with us by his word. 

20 For so it is written that the 
father commanded him by de- 
livering us from darkness, to pre- 
pare unto himself a holy people. 

21 Wherefore the prophet 
saith : ^ I the Lord thy God have 
called thee in righteousness, and 
I will take thee by thy hand and 
will strengthen thee. And give 
thee for a covenant of the peo- 
ple, for a light of the Gentiles. 
^To open the eyes of the blind, 
to bring out the prisoners from 
the prison, and them that sit in 
darkness out of the prison house. 

22 Consider therefore from 
whence we have been redeemed. 
And again the prophet saith: 
^ The spirit of the Lord is upon 
me, because he hath anointed 
me : he hath sent me to preach 
glad tidings to the lowly ; to 
heal the broken in heart; to 
preach remission to the captives, 
and sight unto the blind; to 
proclaim the acceptable year of 
the Lord, and the day of restitu- 
tion ; to comfort all that mourn. 

CHAP. XIII. 

That the sabbath of the Jews was but 
a figure of a more glorious sabbath 
to come, and their tetnple^ of the 
spiritual temples of God. 

FURTHERMORE it is writ- 
ten concerning the sabbath, 
in the Ten " Commandments, 
which God spake in the mount 
Sinai to Moses, ^face to face: 
Sanctify the sabbath of the Lord 

Hsaiah, xlii. 6. ^ Verse 7. ^Isaiah, 
Ixi. I, 2. Comp. Luke, iv. 18. * Words. 
* Exod. XX. 8. 



with pure hands, and with a 
clean heart. 

2 And elsewhere he saith : * If 
thy children shall keep my sab- 
baths, then will I put my mercy 
upon them. 

3 And even in the beginning 
of the creation he makes mention 
of the sabbath. '^ And God made 
in six days the works of his 
hands ; and he finished them on 
the ' seventh day, and he rested 
the seventh day, and sanctified it. 

4 Consider, my children, what 
that signifies, he finished them 
in six days. The meaning of it 
is this: that in ^six thousand 
years the Lord God will bring 
all things to an end. 

5 For with him one day is a 
thousand 3^ ears ; as himself testi- 
fieth, saying, Behold this day 
shall be as a thousand years. 
Therefore, children, in six daj'S, 
that is in six thousand years 
shall ^all things be accom- 
plished. 

6 And what is that he saith, 
And he rested the seventh day, 
he meaneth this : that when his 
Son shall come, and abolish the 
season of the ' Wicked One, and 
judge the ungodly ; and shall 
change the sun and the moon, 
and the stars; then he shall 
gloriously rest in that seventh 
day. 

7 He adds lastly : Thou shalt 
sanctify it with clean hands and 
a pure heart. Wherefore we are 

^Jer. xvii. 24. ^ Gen. ii. 2. Exod. 
XX, II. xxxi. 17. 2 Vid. Coteler. An- 
not in loc. '*How general this tradi- 
tion then was. vSee Coteler. Annot in 
loc. Edit. Oxon., p. 90. a. Psalms 
Ixxxix. 4. ^That is, to the time of 
the Gospel, says Dr. Bernard, q. v. 
Annot., p. 127, Ed. Oxoa^ *So the 
Lat. Vers. 



(167) 



The temple 



BARNABAS. 



typical. 



greatly deceived if we imagine 
that any one can now sanctify 
that day which God has made 
holy, without having a heart 
pure in all things. 

8 Behold therefore he will 
then truly sanctify it with bless- 
ed rest, when we (having re- 
ceived the righteous promise, 
when iniquity shall be no more, 
all things being renewed by the 
Lord) shall be able to sanctify 
it, being ourselves first made 
holy. 

9 Lastly, he saith unto them : 
• Your new moons and your sab- 
baths I cannot bear them. Con- 
sider what he means by it ; the 
sabbaths, says he, which ye now 
keep are not acceptable unto me, 
but those which I have made ; 
when resting from all things I 
shall begin ^ the eighth day, that 
is, the beginning of the other 
world. 

10 For which cause we ob- 
serve the eighth day with glad- 
ness, in which Jesus rose from the 
dead ; and having manifested 
himself to his disciples, ascended 
into heaven. 

11 T" It remains yet that I 
speak to you concerning the tem- 
ple: how those miserable men 
being deceived have put their 
trust in the ^ house, and not in 
God himself who made them, as 
if it were the habitation of God. 

12 For much after the same 
manner as the Gentiles, they 
consecrated him in the temple. 

13 But learn therefore how the 
Lord speaketh, rendering the 
temple vain : " Who has measur- 

^ Isaiah, i. 13. ^ So the other Fathers, 
q. V. apud. Coteler. Annot. in loc, 
p. 26. 3 vid. Edit. Oxen, et Vet. Lat. 
Interp. * Isaiah, xl, 12, 



(168) 



ed the heaven with a span, and 
the earth with his hand? Is it 
not I ? Thus saith the Lord, 
' Heaven is my throne, and the 
earth is my footstool. What is 
the house that ye will build me? 
Or what is the place of my rest? 
Know therefore that all their 
hope is vain. 

14 And again he speaketh 
after this manner : ^ Behold they 
that destroy this temple, even 
they shall again build it up. And 
so it came to pass ; for through 
their wars it is now destroy- 
ed by their enemies; and the 
servants of their enemies build 
it up. 

15 Furthermore, it has been 
made manifest, how both the city 
and the temple, and the people 
of Israel should be given up. 
For the scripture saith : 'And it 
shall come to pass in the last 
days, that the Lord will deliver 
up the sheep of his pasture, 
and their fold, and their tower 
unto destruction. And it is 
come to pass, as the Lord hath 
spoken. 

16 Let us inquire, therefore, 
whether there be any temple of 
God? Yes there is: and that 
there, where himself declares 
that he would both make and 
perfect it. For it is written ; "And 
it shall be that as soon as the 
week shall ,be completed, the 
temple of the Lord shall be glo- 
riously built in the name of the 
Lord. 

17 I find therefore that there 
is a temple. But how shall it be 
built in the name of the Lord? 
I will show you. 

^ Isaiah, Ixvi. i. "^ Isaiah, xlix. 17. 
^Zeph. ii. 6, just. Heb. * Dan. ix. 
Haggai, ii. 



Of the 



BARNABAS. 



way of light 



1 8 Before that we believed in 
God, the habitation of our heart 
was corruptible and feeble, as a 
temple truly built with hands. 

19 For it was a house full of 
idolatry, a house of devils ; inas- 
much as there was done in it 
whatsoever was contrary unto 
God. But it shall be built in the 
name of the Lord. 

20 Consider, how that the tem- 
ple of the Lord shall be very 
gloriously built ; and by what 
means that shall be, learn. 

21 Having received remission 
of our sins, and trusting in the 
name of the Lord, we are become 
renewed, being again created as 
it were from the beginning. 
Wherefore God truly dwells in 
our house, that is, in us. 

22 But how does he dwell in 
us? The word of his faith, the 
calling of his promise, the wis- 
dom of his righteous judgments, 
the commands of his doctrine; 
he himself prophecies within us, 
he himself dwelleth in us, and 
openeth to us who were in bond- 
age of death the gate of 'our 
temple, that is, 'the mouth of 
wisdom, having given repent- 
ance unto us ; and by this means 
has brought us to be an incor- 
ruptible temple. 

23 He therefore that desires to 
be saved looketh * not unto the 
man, but unto him that dwelleth 
in him, and speaketh by him ; 
being struck with wonder, foras- 
much as he never either heard 
him speaking such words out of 
his mouth, nor ever desired to 
hear them. 

24 This is that spiritual tem- 
ple that is built unto the Lord. 

^ Vid. Lat. Ver. Interp. 



CHAP. XIV. 

Of the way of light ; being a summary 
of what a Christian is to do, that he 
may be happy for ever. 

AND thus I trust, I have de- 
clared to you as much, and 
with as great simj^licity as I 
could, those things which make 
for your salvation, so as not to 
have omitted any thing that 
might be requisite thereunto. 

2 For should I speak farther 
of the things that ' now are, and 
of those that are to come, you 
would not yet understand them, 
seeing they lie in parables. This 
therefore shall suffice as to these 
things. 

3 Let us now go on to the other 
kind of knowledge and doctrine. 
There are two ways of doctrine 
and power ; the one of light, the 
other of darkness. 

4 But there is a great deal 
of difference between these two 
w^ays : for over one are appointed 
the * angels of God, the leaders 
of the way of light; over the 
other, the angels of Satan. And 
the one is the Lord from ever- 
lasting to everlasting ; the other 
is the prince of the time of un- 
righteousness. 

5 Now the way of light is 
this, if any one desires to attain 
to the place that is appointed 
for him, and will hasten thither 
by his works. And the knowl- 
edge that has been given to us 
for walking in it, is to this effect : 
Thou shalt love him that made 
thee: thou shalt glorify him 
that hath redeemed thee from 
death. 

6 Thou shalt be simple 



m 



1 So the old Lat. Interp. ^ vid. 
Coteler. in loc. et Basil, in Psalm i. 



(169) 



io a Christian. 



BARNABAS. 



Way of darkness. 



heart, and rich in the spirit. 
Thou shalt not cleave to those 
that walk in the way of death. 
Thou shalt hate to do anything 
that is not pleasing unto God. 
Thou shalt abhor all dissimu- 
lation. Thou shalt not neglect 
any of the commands of the 
Lord. 

7 Thou shalt not exalt thy- 
self, but shalt be humble. Thou 
shalt not take honor to thyself. 
Thou shalt not enter into any 
wicked counsel against thy 
neighbor. Thou shalt not be 
over-confident in thy heart. 

8 Thou shalt not commit forn- 
ication, nor adultery. Neither 
shalt thou corrupt thyself with 
mankind. Thou shalt not make 
use of the word of God, to any 
impurity. 

9 Thou shalt not accept any 
man's person, when thou re- 
pro vest any one's faults. Thou 
shalt be gentle. Thou shalt be 
quiet. Thou shalt tremble at 
the words which thou hast heard. 
Thou shalt not keep any hatred 
in th}^ heart against thy brother. 
Thou shalt not entertain any 
doubt whether it shall be, or not. 

10 Thou shalt not take the 
name of the Lord in vain. Thou 
shalt love thy neighbor above 
thy own soul. 

1 1 Thou shalt not destroy thy 
conceptions before they are 
brought forth; nor kill them 
after they are born. 

12 Thou shalt not withdraw 
thy hand from thy son, or from 
thy daughter; but shalt teach 
them from their youth the fear 
of the Lord. 

13 Thou shalt not covet thy 
neighbor's goods; neither shalt 



thou be ' an extortioner. Neither 
shall thy heart be joined to 
proud men; but thou shalt be 
numbered among the righteous 
and the lowly. Whatever '" events 
shall happen unto thee, thou 
shalt receive them as good. 

14 Thou shalt not be double- 
minded, or double-tongued; for 
a double tongue is the snare of 
death. Thou shalt be subject 
unto the Lord and to inferior 
masters as to the representatives 
of God, in fear and reverence. 

15 Thou shalt not be bitter in 
thy commands towards any of 
thy servants that trust in God; 
lest thou chance not to fear him 
who is over both; because he 
came not to call any with respect 
of persons, but whomsoever the 
spirit had prepared. 

16 Thou shalt communicate 
to thy neighbor of all thou hast ; 
thou shalt not call any thing 
thine own : for if ye partake in 
such things as are incorruptible, 
how much more should yo. do 
it in those that are corruptible? 

1 7 ^ Thou shalt not be forward 
to speak; for the mouth is the 
snare of death. * Strive, for thy 
soul with all thy might. ""Reach 
not out thine hand to receive, 
and withhold it not when thou 
shouldest give. 

18 Thou shalt love, as the 
apple of thine eye, every one 
that speaketh unto thee the 
Word of the Lord. " Call to thy 

^ Greedy, C)7i,EoveKd7jg. ^ Effects. ^ See 
Ecclus. iv. 29. ^ Ibid. ver. 28. For so 
I choose to read it, vrtrp tijc i'vxvc o^ 
ayo)vevaEic, according to the conjecture 
of Cotelerius. ^ Ibid. ver. 36. * And 
remember him night and day. The 
words J7//«-paf «:pff ccjf , seem to have been 
erroneously inserted, and pervert the 
sense. 



(170) 



JVAo shall be 



BARNABAS. 



cast out for ever 



remembrance, day and night, the 
future judgment. 

19 Thou shalt seek out every- 
day the persons of the 'right- 
eous; and both consider and go 
about to exhort others by the 
word, and meditate how thou 
mayest save a soul. 

20 Thou shalt also labor with 
thy hands to give to the poor, 
'that thy sins may be forgiven 
thee. Thou shalt not deliberate 
whether thou shouldst give : nor 
having given, murmur at it. 

21 Give to every one that 
asks : so shalt thou know who 
is the good rewarder of thy 
gifts. 

22 Keep what thou hast re- 
ceived; thou shalt neither add 
to it nor take from it. 

23 Let the wicked be always 
thy aversion. Thou shalt judge 
righteous judgment. Thou shalt 
never cause divisions; but shalt 
make peace between those that 
are at variance, and bring them 
together. 

24 Thou shalt confess thy 
sins ; and not come to thy prayer 
with an evil conscience. 

25 This is the way of light. 

CHAP. XV. 

Of the way of darkness ; that is ^ what 
kind of persons shall be for ever cast 
out of the kingdom of God. 

BUT the way of darkness is 
crooked and full of curs- 
ing. For it is the way of eter- 
nal death, with punishment; in 
which they that walk meet those 
things that destroy their own 
souls. 

2 Such are : idolatry, confi- 
dence, pride of power, hypoc- 

1 Gr. Saints. ^ Gr. For the redemp- 
tion of thy sins. Comp. Dan. iv. 24. 
See Lxx. 



(171) 



risy, double -mindedness, adul- 
tery, murder, rapine, pride, 
transgression, deceit, malice, ar- 
rogance, witchcraft, covetous- 
ness, and the want of the fear of 
God. 

3 In this walk those who are 
the persecutors of them that are 
good; haters of truth; lovers 
of lies; who know not the re- 
ward of righteousness, nor cleave 
to any thing that is good. 

4 Who administer not right- 
eous judgment to the widow and 
orphan ; who watch for wicked- 
ness, and not for the fear of the 
Lord: 

5 From whom gentleness and 
patience are far off; who love 
vanity, and follow after rewards ; 
having no compassion upon the 
poor ; nor take any pains for such 
as are heavy laden and oppressed. 

6 Ready to evil speaking, not 
knowing him that made them ; 
murderers of children ; corrupt- 
ers of the creature of God ; that 
turn away from the needy; op- 
press the afflicted; are the ad- 
vocates of the rich, but unjust 
judges of the poor; being alto- 
gether sinners. 

7 It is therefore fitting that 
learning the just commands of 
the Lord, which we have before 
mentioned, we should walk in 
them. For he who does such 
things shall be glorified in the 
kingdom of God. 

8 But he that chooses the other 
part, shall be destroyed, together 
with his works. For this cause 
there shall be both a resurrec- 
tion, and a retribution. 

9 I beseech those that are in 
high estate among you, (if so be 
you will take the counsel which 



from ike 



EPHESIANS. 



kingdom of Gitd, 



with a good intention I offer to 
you,) you have those with you 
towards whom you may do 
good ; do not forsake them. 

ID For the day is at hand in 
which all things shall be destroy- 
ed, together with the wicked one. 
The Lord is near, and his reward 
is with him. 

11 I beseech you, therefore, 
again, and again, be as good law- 
givers to one another; continue 
faithful counsellors to each other; 
remove from among you all hy- 
pocrisy. 

12 And may God, the Lord of 
all the world, give you wisdom, 
knowledge, counsel, and under- 
standing of his judgments in pa- 
tience. 

13 Be ye taught of God; seek- 
ing what it is the Lord requires 
of you, and doing it ; that ye may 
be saved in the day of judg- 
ment. 

14 And if there be among you 



any remembrance of what is 
good, think of me; meditating 
upon these things, that both my 
desire and my watching for you 
may turn to a good account. 

15 I beseech you ; I ask it as a 
favor of you ; whilst you are in 
this beautiful ' tabernacle of the 
body, be wanting in none of 
these things ; but without ceasing 
seek them, and fulfill every com- 
mand. For these things are fit- 
ting and worthy to be done. 

1 6 Wherefore I have given the 
more diligence to write unto you, 
according to my ability, that you 
might rejoice. Farewell, chil- 
dren, of love and peace. 

1 7 The Lord of glory, and of 
all grace, be with your spirit, 
Amen. 

\ The €7id of the Epistle of 
Barnabas^ the Apostle, and felloW' 
traveler of St. Paul, the Apostle. 

* Vessel. 



The EPISTLE of IGNATIUS to the EPHESIANS. 

\ Of the Epistles of Ignatius. 

[The Epistles of Ignatius are translated by Archbishop Wake from the text 
of Vossius. He says that there were considerable differences in the edi- 
tions ; the best for a long time extant containing fabrications, and the 
genuine being altered and corrupted. Archbishop Usher printed old 
Latin translations of them at Oxford, in 1644. At Amsterdam, two years 
afterwards, Vossius printed six of them in their ancient and pure Greek ; 
and the seventh, greatly amended from the ancient Latin version, was 
{printed at Paris, by Ruinart, in 1689, in the Acts and Martyrdom of Igna- 
tius, from a Greek uninterpolated copy. These are supposed to form the 
collection that Polycarp made of the Epistles of Ignatius, mentioned by 
Irenaeus, Origen, Eusebius, Jerome, Athanasius, Theodoret, Gelasius, 
and other ancients ; but many learned men have imagined all of them to 
be apocryphal. This supposition, the piety of Archbishop Wake, and 
his persuasion of their utility to the faith of the church, will not permit 
him to entertain : hence he has taken great pains to render the present 
translation acceptable, by adding numerous readings and references to 
the Canonical Books.] 

(172) 



Exhorts 



I. IGNATIUS. 



to wnifyt 



CHAP. I, 

I Commends them for sending One- 
sitnus, and other Tnembers of the 
church to hitn. 8 Exhorts them to 
unity ^ IT, by a dtie subjection to their 
bishop. 

T GNATIUS, who is also called 
1 Theophorus, to the church 
which is at Ephesus in Asia; 
most deservedly happy; being 
blessed ' through the greatness 
and fullness ' of God the Father, 
and predestinated before the 
world began, that it should be 
always unto an enduring and un- 
changeable glory ; being united 
and chosen through his true 
passion, ^ according to the will of 
the Father, and Jesus Christ our 
God ; all * happiness, by Jesus 
Christ, and 'his undefiled grace. 

2 I have 'heard of your name 
much beloved in God ; which ye 
have Very justly attained by a 
'habit of righteousness, accord- 
ing to the faith and love which 
is in Jesus Christ our Saviour. 

3 How that being ^ followers of 
God, and stirring up yourselves 
by the blood of Christ, ye have 
perfectly accomplished the work 
that was con-natural unto you. 

4 For hearing that I came 
bound from Syria, for the com- 
mon name and 'hope, trusting 
through your prayers to fight 
with beasts at Rome ; so that by 
" suffering I may become indeed 
the disciple of him "who gave 
himself to God, an offering and 
sacrifice for us; ^^(ye hastened 
to see me). I received therefore, 

* In. ^ See Eph. ill. 19. 3 \^ 
* Health, joy. * Received. Vid. Epist. 
Interf). ^Vid. Coteler. in loc. Comp. 
Gal. iv. 8. ' Pearson. Vind. Ignat. 
Par. 2, cap. 14. ^ Imitators. ''Viz. of 
Christ. 10 Martyrdom. " Eph. v. 2. 
" See the old Lat. Ed. of Bishop Usher. 



in the name of God, your whole 
multitude in Onesimus. 

5 Who by inexpressible love 
is ours, but according to the flesh 
is your bishop : whom I beseech 
you, by Jesus Christ, to love ; and 
that you would all strive to be 
like unto him. And blessed be 
God, who has granted unto you, 
who are so worthy of him, to ' en- 
jo}'' such an excellent bishop. 

6 For what concerns my fel- 
low servant Burrhus, and your 
^most blessed deacon in things 
pertaining to God; I entreat 
you that he may tarry longer, 
both for yours, and your bishop's 
honor. 

7 And Crocus also worthy 
both our God and you, whom I 
have received as the pattern of 
your love, has in all things re- 
freshed me, as the Father of our 
Lord Jesus Christ shall also re- 
fresh him ; together with Onesi- 
mus, and Burrhus, and Euplus, 
and Fronto, Mn whom I have, 
as to your charity, seen all of 
you. And may I always, *have 
joy of you, if I shall be worthy 
of it. 

8 It is therefore fitting that 
you should ' by all means glorify 
Jesus Christ who hath glorified 
you: that ^by a uniform obe- 
dience V^ may be perfectly join- 
ed together in the same mind, 
and in the same judgment; and 
may all speak the same things 
concerning everything. 

9 And that being subject to 
^your bishop, and the presbytery, 
ye may be wholly and thorough- 
ly sanctified. 

* Possessed. ^ Blessed in all things. 
^By. *See Philem. 20. Wisd. xxx. 2. 
^In all manner of ways. *In one; 



(173) 



' I Cor. i. 10. « The. 



and subjection 



EPHESIANS. 



to their bishop. 



10 These things I ' prescribe 
to you, not as if I were some- 
body extraordinary : for though 
I am bound ^for his name, I am 
not yet perfect in Christ Jesus. 
^ But now I begin to learn, and I 
speak to you as fellow disciples 
together with me. 

1 1 For I ought to have been 
stirred up by you, in faith, in ad- 
monition, in patience, in long- 
suffering; but forasmuch as 
charity suffers me not to be si- 
lent * towards you, I have first 
taken upon me to exhort you, 
that ye would all run together, 
according to the will of God. 

12 For even Jesus Christ, our 
inseparable life, is sent by the 
^ will of the Father ; as the bish- 
ops, appointed unto the utmost 
bounds of the earth, are by the 
will of Jesus Christ. 

13 *^ Wherefore it will become 
you to run together according to 
the will of your bishop, as also 
ye do. 

14 For your '^ famous presby- 
tery, worthy of God, is fitted as 
exactly to the bishop, as the 
strings are to the harp. 

15 Therefore in your concord 
and agreeing charity, Jesus 
Christ is sung ; and every single 
person among you makes up the 
chorus : 

16 That so being all consonant 
in ** love, and taking up the song 
of God, ye may in a perfect unity 
with one voice, sing to the Father 
by Jesus Christ ; to the end that 
he may both hear you, and per- 
ceive by your works, that ye are 
indeed the members of his Son. 

^Command you. ^ In, ^For, ■* Con- 
cerning. ^ Mind, counsel, opinion, &c. 
« Whence. 'Worthy to be named. 
® Concord. 



17 Wherefore it is profitable 
for you to live in an unblameable 
unity, that so ye may always 
^ have a fellowship with God. 

CHAP. II. 

I The benefit of subjection. 4 The 
bishop not to be respected the less be- 
cause he is ?wt forward in exacting 
it ; 8 warns them against heretics ; 
biddhig the^n cleave to Jesus, whose 
divine and human nature is declared; 
comm,ends them, for their care to 
keep themselves fro'}n false teachers ; 
and shews them, the way to God. 

FOR if I in this little time have 
had such a familiarity with 
your bishop, I mean not a carnal, 
but spiritual acquaintance with 
him; how much more must I 
think you happy who are so join- 
ed to him, as the church is to 
Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ to 
the Father; that so all things 
may agree in the same unity ? 

2 Let no man deceive himself ; 
if a man be not within the altar, 
he is deprived of the bread of 
God. For if the prayer of ^ one 
or two be of such force, as we are 
told ; how much more powerful 
shall that of the bishop and the 
whole church be? 

3 He therefore that does not 
come together in the same place 
with it, is ^ proud, and has al- 
ready * condemned himself . For 
it is written, ^ God resisteth the 
proud. Let us take heed there- 
fore, that we do not set ourselves 
against the bishop, that we may 
be subject to God. 

4 ^The more any one sees his 
bishop silent, the more let him 
revere him. For whomsoever the 
master of the house sends to be 
over his own household, we ought 



^ Partake of. ^ Matt, xviii. 19. 



Is 



already proud and has, &c. * Judged, 
or separated. ^James, iv. 6. ^Andthe. 



C174) 



Love to the bishop. EPHESIANS. Exhorts against heresy- 



in like manner to receive him, as 
we would do him that sent him. 
It is therefore evident that we 
ought to look upon the bishop, 
even as we would do upon the 
Lord himself. 

5 And indeed Onesimus him- 
self does greatly commend your 
good order in God : that you all 
live according to the truth, and 
that no heresy dwells among you. 
For neither do ye hearken to any 
one more than to Jesus Christ 
speaking to you in truth. 

6 For some there are who 
' carry about the name of Christ 
'in deceitfulness, but do things 
unworthy of God ; whom ye must 
^ flee, as ye would do so many 
wild beasts. For they are raven- 
ing dogs, who bite secretly: 
against whom ye must guard 
yourselves, as men hardly to be 
cured. 

7 There is one physician, both 
fleshly and spiritual; made and not 
made ; God incarnate ; true life in 
death ; both of Mary and of God ; 
first passable, then impassable; 
even Jesus Christ our Lord. 

8 Wherefore let no man deceive 
you ; as indeed neither are ye de- 
ceived, being wholly the servants 
of God. For inasmuch as there is 
no contention nor strife among 
you, 'to trouble you, 'ye must 
needs live according to God's will. 
" My soul be for yours ; And I 
myself the expiatory offering 
for your church of Ephesus, so 
famous ' throughout the world. 

9 They that are of the flesh 
cannot do the works of the spirit ; 

'Accustom themselves to carry. ' In 
wicked deceit. » Avoid. * Which can. 
* Without doubt ye live. * Vid. Voss. 
Annot. in loc. Pearson. Vind. Ign. 
par. 2, p. 207, 208. ' To ages. 



neither they that are of the spirit 
the works of the flesh. ' As he 
that has faith cannot be an infi- 
del ; nor he that is an infidel have 
faith. But even those things 
which ye do according to the 
flesh are spiritual ; forasmuch as 
ye do all things in Jesus Christ. 

10 Nevertheless I have '^ heard 
of some who have 'passed by 
you, having perverse doctrine; 
whom ye did not suffer to sow 
* among you ; but stopped your 
ears, that ye might not receive 
those things that were sown by 
them : as ' being the stones of the 
temple of the Father, prepared 
for ' his building ; and drawn up 
on high by the Cross of Christ, 
' as by an engine. 

11 Using the Holy Ghost as 
the rope ; your faith being your 
support; and your charity the 
way that leads unto God. 

12 Ye are therefore, with all 
your companions in the same 
" journey, full of God ; his spirit- 
ual temples, "full of Christ, "full 
of holiness : adorned in all things 
with the commands of Christ. 

13 In whom also I rejoice that 
I have been thought worthy by 
" this present epistle to converse, 
and joy together with you; that 
with respect to the other life, ye 
love nothing but God only. 

CHAP. HI. 

1 Exhorts them to prayer ; to be un- 
blamable. 5 To be careful of salva- 
tion / 1 1 frequent in public devotion; 
13 and to live in charity. 

* As neither is faith the things of infi- 
delity, nor infidelity the things of faith, 

2 Known. » passed thither. *Upon, 
*Comp. Eph. ii. 20, 21, 22. i Pet. ii. 5. 
« The building of God the Father. '' By 
the engine of the cross, &c. * Pearson, 
ib. part 2, cap. 12. •Carriers. '<> These 
things I write. 



(I7S) 



Exhorts to prayer^ 



EPHESIANS. 



against sin^ 



PRAY also without ceasing for 
other men : for there is hope 
of repentance in them, that they 
may attain unto God. Let them 
therefore at least be instructed 
by 3^our works, if they will be 
no other way. 

2 Be ye mild at their anger; 
humble at their boasting; to their 
blasphemies return your prayers ; 
to their error, your ' firmness in 
the faith: when they are cruel, 
be ye gentle ; not endeavoring to 
imitate their ways. 

3 (Let us be their brethren in all 
kindness and moderation, but let 
us be followers of the Lord ; ^ for 
who was ever more unj ustly used? 
More destitute ? More despised?) 

4 That so no herb of the devil 
may be found in you : but ye may 
remain in all holiness and sobri- 
ety ^ both of body and spirit, in 
Christ Jesus. 

5 The last times *are come 
upon us : let us therefore be very 
reverent, and fear the long-suffer- 
ing of God, that it be not to us 
unto condemnation. 

6 For let us either fear the 
wrath that is to come, or let us 
love the grace Hhat we at present 
enjoy : that ^ by the one, or other, 
of these we may be found in 
Christ Jesus, unto true life. 

7 ' Besides him, let nothing 
* be worthy of you ; *" for whom 
also I bear about these bonds, 
those spiritual jewels, in which 
I would to God that I might 
arise through your prayers. 

8 Of which I entreat you to 

' Be ye firm. ^ Who has been more, 
&c. ' In J esus Christ, both bodily and 
spiritually, i Cor. vii. 34. ** Remain: 
or, for it remains. ^ Is present. ^ One 
of tlie two, only that we may be found, 
&c. 'Without him. ^Become you. ^In. 

(I 



make me always partaker, that 
I may be found in the lot of the 
Christians of Ephesus, who have 
always 'agreed with the Apos- 
tles, "^ through the power of Jesus 
Christ. 

9 T[ I know both who I am, and 
to whom I write : I, a person con- 
demned ; ye, such as have obtain- 
ed mercy : I, exposed to danger ; 
ye, confirmed against danger. 

10 Ye are the passage of those 
that are killed for God ; the 
companions of Paul in the mys- 
teries of the Gospel ; the Holy, 
the ^ martyr, the deservedly most 
happy Paul : at whose feet may 
I be found, when I shall have at- 
tained unto God; who * through- 
out all his epistle, makes men- 
tion of you in Christ Jesus. 

1 1 Let it be your care there- 
fore to come more fully together, 
to the praise and glory of God. 
For when ye meet fully together 
in the same place, the powers of 
the devil are destroyed, and his 
'mischief is dissolved by the 
" unity of their faith. 

12 And indeed, nothing is better 
than peace by which all war both 
'spiritual and earthly is abol- 
ished. 

13 Of all which nothing is hid 
from 3^ou, if 3^e have perfect faith 
and charity in Christ Jesus, which 
are the beginning and end of life. 

14 For the beginning is faith; 
the end is charit}^ And these 
two ''joined together, are of God ; 
but all other things which con- 
cern a holy life are the conse- 
quences of these. 

' Assented to. ^ In. ' Witnessed of. 
"^Vid. Coteler in loc. Pears. Vind. 
Ign. par. 2. cap. 10 ^ Destruction. 
^ Concord. '' Of things in heaven, and 
of things on earth. * Being in unity. 
76) 



to charity, and to 



EPHESIANS. 



love of the Gospel. 



15 No man professing a true 
faith; sinneth; neither does he 
who has charity hate any. 

16 ' The tree is made manifest 
by its fruit ; so they who profess 
themselves to be christians ^are 
known by what they do. 

17 For Christianity is not the 
work of an outward profession ; 
but shows itself in the power of 
faith, if a man be found faithful 
unto the end. 

18 It is better for a man to hold 
his peace, and be ; than ^ to say, 
he is a christian, and not to be. 

19 It is good to teach; Mf 
what he says, he does likewise. 

20 There is therefore one mas- 
ter who spake, and it was done ; 
and even those things which he 
did without speaking, are worthy 
of the Father. 

21 He that possesses the word 
of Jesus, is truly able to hear his 
very silence, that he may be per- 
fect ; ^ and both do according to 
what he speaks, and be known by 
those things of which he is silent. 

22 There is nothing hid from 
God, but even our secrets are 
nigh unto him. 

23 Let us therefore do all 
things, as becomes those who 
have *God dwelling in them; that 
we may be his temples, and he 
may be our God : as also he is, 
and will manifest himself before 
our faces, by those things 'for 
which we justly love him. 

CHAP. IV. 

I To have a care for the Gospel. 9 The 
virginity of Mary, the incarnation, 
and the death of Christ, were hid from 
the Devil. 1 1 How the birth of Christ 
was revealed. 16 Exhorts to unity. 
^ Matt. xii. 33. 2 Shall be seen, or 

made manifest. 'Speaking, not to be. 

* If he who says, does. ^ That he may. 

•Him. 'Out of. 



(177) 



BE not deceived, my brethren: 
those that ' corrupt families 
by adultery, shall not inherit the 
kingdom of God. 

2 If therefore they who do this 
according to the flesh, '^ have suf- 
fered death ; how much more shall 
he die, who by his wicked doc- 
trine corrupts the faith of God, 
for which Christ was crucified? 

3 ^ He that is thus defiled, 
shall depart into unquenchable 
fire, and so also shall he that 
^hearkens to him. 

4 For this cause did the Lord 
^ suffer the ointment to be pour- 
ed on his head ; that he might 
breathe the breath of immortality 
unto his church. 

5 Be not ye therefore anointed 
with the evil savour of the doc- 
trine of the prince of this world: 
let him not take you captive from 
the life that is set before you. 

6 And why are we not all wise, 
seeing we have received the 
knowledge of God, which is Je- 
sus Christ ? Why ' do we suffer 
ourselves foolishly to perish; 
' not considering the gift which 
the Lord has truly sent to us. 

7 ^Let my life be sacrificed 
for the doctrine of the cross; 
which is indeed a scandal to the 
unbelievers, but to us is salva- 
tion and life eternal. 

8 " Where is the wise man ? 
Where is the disputer? Where 
is the boasting of those who are 
called wise? 

9 For our God Jesus Christ 

^The corrupters of houses, i Cor. 
vi. 9, 10. 2 1 Cor. X. 8. ^ Such a one 
being become defiled. * Hears him. 
^Receive ointment. Psalm xxiii, 5, 
cxxxiii. 2. ^Are we foolishly destroyed? 
' Not knowing. ^ See Dr. Smith's note 
in loc. I Cor. i. 18, 23, 24. ^ i Cor. i, 20. 



The incarnation, &c., 'EPHESIANS. 



hid from the devil. 



was according to the dispensation 
of God * conceived in the womb 
of Mary, of the seed of David, 
"^ by the Holy Ghost ; ^ he was 
born and baptized, that through 
his passion he might purify wa- 
ter, to the washing away of sin. 

ID Now the Virginity of Mary, 
and he who was born of her, was 
kept in secret from the prince 
of this world; as was also the 
death of our Lord : three of the 

* mysteries the most spoken of 
throughout the world, yet done 
in * secret by God. 

1 1 How then was our Saviour 
manifested to the world ? A star 
shone in heaven beyond all the 
other stars, and its light was in- 
expressible, and its novelty 
struck terror into men's minds. 
All the rest of the stars, together 
with the sun and moon, were the 
chorus to this star ; but that 
sent out its light exceedingly 
above them all. 

12 And men 'began to be 
troubled to think whence this 
' new star came so unlike to ^ all 
the others. 

1 3 Hence all the power of mag- 
ic became dissolved ; and every 
bond of wickedness was ^ de- 
stroyed ; men's ignorance was 
taken away ; and the old king- 
dom abolished ; God himself 

" appearing in the form of a man, 
for the renewal of eternal life. 

14 From thence began what 
God had prepared : from thence- 
forth things were disturbed ; for- 
asmuch as he designed to abolish 
death. 

* Carried. ' But by. ' Who was. 

* Mysteries of noise. ' Silence or quiet- 
ness. See Rom. xvi. 25. « There 
was a disorder. ' Novelty. • Them. 
•Disappeared. *" Being miade manifest. 



15 But if Jesus Christ shall 
give me grace through your pray- 
ers, and it be his will, I purpose 
in a second epistle which I will 
suddenly write unto you to mani- 
fest to you more fully the dispen- 
sation of which I have now begun 
to speak, unto the new man, 
which is Jesus Christ ; both in his 
faith, and charity; in his suffer- 
ing, and in his resurrection. 

16 Especially if the Lord shall 
' make known unto me, that ye 
all by name come together in 
common in one faith, and in one 
Jesus Christ ; who was of the 
race of David according to the 
flesh ; the Son of man, and Son 
of God ; ^ obeying your bishop 
and the presbytery with an entire 
' affection ; breaking one and the 
same bread, which is the medi- 
cine of immortality ; our antidote 
that we should not die, but live 
forever in Christ Jesus. 

17 My soul be for yours, and 
theirs whom ye have sent, to the 
glory of God ; even unto Smyrna, 
from whence also I write to you ; 
giving thanks unto the Lord, 
and loving Polycarp even as I 
do you. Remember me, as Jesus 
Christ does remember you. 

1 8 Pray for the church which is 
in Syria, from whence I am car- 
ried bound to Rome ; being the 
least of all the faithful which are 
there, as I have been thought 
worthy to be found to the glory 
of God. 

19 Fare ye well in God the 
Father, and in Jesus Christ, our 
common Hope. Amen. 

\ To the Ephesians. 

« That ye may oboy. 



1 



Reveal. 
» Mind. 



(178) 



The EPISTLE of IGNATIUS to the MAGNESIANS. 



CHAP. I. I 

4 Mentions the arrival o/Damas, their 
bishop^ and others, 6 whom he ex- 
horts them to reverefice, notwith- 
standifig- he was a young man. 

IGNATIUS who is also called 
1 Theophorus ; to the blessed 
* (church) "" by the grace of God 
the Father in Jesus Christ our 
Saviour: in whom I salute the 
church which is at Magnesia 
near the Maeander ; and wish it 
all joy in God the Father and in 
Jesus Christ. 

2 When I heard of your well 
ordered love and charity ^ in God, 
being full of joy, I desired much 
to speak unto you in the faith of 
Jesus Christ. 

3 For having *been thought 
V^^orthy to obtain a most ex- 
'cellent name, 'in the bonds 
ivhich I carry about, I " salute the 
churches; wishing in them a 
union both of the body and spirit 
of Jesus Christ, our eternal life : 
as also of faith and charity, to 
which nothing is preferred : but 
especially of Jesus and the 
Father ; in whom ^ if we undergo 
all the injuries of the prince of 
this present world, and escape, 
we shall enjoy God. 

4 Seeing then I have been 
judged worthy to see you, by 
Damas your ^most excellent 
bishop ; and by your very worthy 
presbyters, Bassus and Apol- 
lonius ; and by my fellow-servant 
Sotio, the deacon; 

Wid. Interpr. Lat. Epist Interpol. 
' In. ^ According to. ^ Been vouch- 
safed a name carrying a great deal of 
divinity in it. ^ See Bishop Pearson. 
Vind. Ign. par. ii. cap. 12, p. 146. 
*Sing, commend. 'Undergoing, es- 
caping. ® Worthy of God. 



(179) 



5 In whom ^ I rejoice, foras- 
much as he is subject unto his 
bishop as to the grace of God, 
and to the presbytery as to the 
law of Jesus Christ ; ^ I determ- 
ined to write unto you. 

6 Wherefore it will become you 
also not Ho use your bishop too 
familiarly upon the account of 
his youth ; but to yield all rev- 
erence to him according to the 
power of God the Father; as 
also I perceive that your holy 
presbyters do ; not considering 
his " age, which indeed to appear- 
ance is young; but as becomes 
those who are prudent in God, 
submitting to him, or rather 
not to him, but to the Father of 
our Lord Jesus Christ, the bishop 
of us all. 

7 It will therefore ^behoove 
you ^with all sincerity, to obey 
your bishop; in honor of him 
^ whose pleasure it is, that ye 
should do so. 

8 Because he that does not do 
so, deceives not the bishop whom 
he sees, but ^ affronts him that is 
invisible. ^ For whatsoever of 
this kind is done, it reflects not 
upon '° man, but upon God, who 
knows the secrets of our hearts. 

9 It is therefore fitting, that 
we should not only be called 
christians, but be so. 

10 As some call indeed their 
governor, bishop ; and yet do all 
things without him. 

^Whom may I enjoy, ^^pud. Vet. 
Lat. Interpr. Glorificato Deum Patrem 
D. nostri Jesu Christi. ^Vid. Voss. 
Annot. in loc. Pearson Praef. ad Vind. 
Ignat. ^ Seeming youthful state. ^ It 
is becoming. « Without any hypocrisy. 
'Who willeth it. ^ deludes. »Vid 
Epist. Interp. ad loc. ^" Flesh. 



Exhorts to live 



MAGNESI ANS. orderly and in unity. 



1 1 But I can never think that 
such as these have a good con- 
science, seeing that they are not 
gathered together ' thoroughly 
according to God's command- 
ment. 

CHAP. II. 
I That as all must die, 4 he exhorts 

them to live orderly and in unity. 

SEEING then all things have 
an end, there are these two 
^ indifferently set before us, death 
and life: and every one shall 
depart unto his proper place. 

2 For as there are two sorts of 
coins, the one of God, the other 
of the world ; and each of these 
has its proper ^ inscription en- 
graved upon it; so also is it 
here. 

3 The unbelievers are of this 
world ; but the faithful, through 
charity, have the character of 
God the Father by Jesus Christ : 
by whom if we are not readily 
disposed to die after the likeness 
of his passion, his life is not in us. 

4 Forasmuch, therefore, as I 
have in the persons before men- 
tioned seen * all of you in faith 
and charity; I exhort you that 
ye study to do all things in a ^ di- 
vine concord : 

5 Your bishop presiding in 
the place of God ; your presbyters 
in the place of the council of the 
Apostles ; and your deacons most 
*dear to me, being entrusted 
with the ministry of Jesus Christ ; 
who was the Father before all 
ages, and appeared in the 'end 
to us. 

6 Wherefore taking the same 

^holy course, see that ye all 

^ Firmly. ^ Together. ^ Character 
set. ^ Your whole multitude. * The 
concord of God. ® Sweet. ' Was made 
manifest. Heb. ix. 26. * Habit of God. 



(180) 



reverence one another: and let 
no one look upon his neighbor 
after the flesh; but do ye all 
mutually love each other in Je- 
sus Christ. 

7 Let there be nothing that 
may be able to make a division 
among you ; but be ye united to 
your bishop, and those who pre- 
side over you, to be your pattern 
and direction in the way to im- 
mortality. 

8 ' As therefore the Lord did 
nothing without the Father, be- 
ing united to him; neither by 
himself nor yet by his Apostles, 
so neither do ye do any thing 
without your bishop and pres- 
byters : 

9 Neither endeavor to let any 
thing appear rational to your- 
selves apart ; 

ID But being come together 
into the same place, ^have one 
common prayer; one supplica- 
tion ; one mind ; one hope ; one 
in charity, and in joy undefiled. 

II There is one Lord Jesus 
Christ, than whom nothing is bet- 
ter. Wherefore ^come ye all to- 
gether as unto one temple of 
God ; as to one * altar, as to one 
Jesus Christ ; who proceeded 
from one Father, and exists in 
one, and is returned to one. 

CHAP. III. 

1 He cautions them against false opin- 
ions. 3 Especially those of ^Ebion 
and the Judaizing Christians. 

BE not deceived with ' strange 
doctrines ; nor with old fa- 
bles which are unprofitable. For 
if we still continue to live ac- 
cording to the Jewish law, we 
^John, X. 30. xiv. 11, 12, xvii. 21, 22. 

2 Eph. iv. 3, 4, 5, 6. 5 Run. * John, 
xvi. 28. ^ Pearson, Vind. Ign. par. 2, 
cap, 4. * Heterodox. 



Cautions against 



MAGNESIANS. 



false opinions. 



do confess ourselves not to have 
received grace. For even the 
most ' holy prophets lived ac- 
cording to Christ Jesus. 

2 And for this cause were they 
persecuted, being inspired by his 
grace, ^ to convince the unbeliev- 
ers and disobedient that there is 
one God who has manifested him- 
self by Jesus Christ his Son ; who 
is his ^eternal word, not coming 
forth from silence, who in all 
things pleased him that sent him. 

3 Wherefore if they who were 
brought up in these ancient ^ laws 
came nevertheless to the newness 
of hope : no longer observing sab- 
baths, ^but keeping the Lord's 
day in which also our life is 
sprung up by him, and through 
his death, ® whom yet some deny : 

4 (By which mystery we have 
'been brought to believe, and 
therefore wait that we may be 
found the disciples of Jesus 
Christ, our only master:) 

5 How shall we be able to live 
* different from him ; whose dis- 
ciples the very prophets them- 
selves being, did by the spirit 
expect him as their master. 

6 ^ And therefore he whom 
they justly waited for, being 
come, raised them up from the 
dead. 

7 Let us not then be insensible 
of his goodness; for should he 
"have dealt with us according to 
our works, we had not now had 
a being. 

8 Wherefore being become his 
disciples, let us learn to live ac- 

* Most divine. ^ Fully to satisfy. 
*John, i. I. * Things. ^ Or, living ac- 
cording to. ^ Or, which. '' Received. 
8 Without. »Matt. xxvii. 52. 1^ Vid. 
Annot. Voss. in loc. should he have 
imitated our works, Or. 



cording to the rules of Christian- 
ity ; for whosoever is called by 
any other name * besides this, he 
is not of God. 

9 Lay aside therefore the old 
and sour and evil leaven ; and be 
ye changed into the new leaven, 
which is Jesus Christ. 

10 Be ye salted in him, lest 
any one among you should be 
corrupted; for by your saviour 
ye shall be ^judged. 

11 It is absurd to name Jesus 
Christ, and to Judaize. For the 
christian religion did not ^em- 
brace the Jewish, but the Jewish 
the christian ; that so every 
tongue that believed might be 
gathered together unto God. 

12 These things, my beloved, 
I write unto you ; not that I know 
of any among you that " lie under 
this error: but as ^one of the 
least among you, I am desirous to 
forewarn you, that ye fall not into 
the ® snares of false doctrine : 

13 But that ye be fully in- 
structed in the birth, and suffer- 
ing, and resurrection of Jesus 
Christ, our hope ; which was ac- 
complished in the time of the 
government of Pontius Pilate, 
and that most truly and ^ certain- 
ly ; and from which God forbid 
that any among you should be 
turned aside. 

CHAP. IV. 

I Commends their faith and piety; ex- 
horts them, to persevere / 10 desires 
their prayers for himself and the 
church at Antioch. 

MAY I therefore have joy of 
you in all things, if I shall 

2 Convicted, over- 

* Have yourselves 

you. ^ Hooks. 



^ More than, 
thrown. ^ BeHeve. 
so. ^ Lesser than 



(181) 



Firmly. 



Commends subjection 



TRALLIANS. 



to bishops y priestSy 



be worthy of it. For though I 
am bound, yet am I not worthy 
to be compared to one of you 
that are at liberty. 

2 I know that ye are not 
puffed up ; for ye have Jesus 
Christ ^ in your hearts. 

3 And especially when I com- 
mend you, I know that ye are 
ashamed, as it is written, ^The 
just man condemneth himself. 

4 Study therefore to be con- 
firmed in the doctrine of our 
Lord, and of his Apostles ; that 
so whatever ye do, ye may pros- 
per both in body and spirit, in 
faith and charity, in the Son, and 
in the Father, and in the Holy 
Spirit ; in the beginning, and in 
the end. 

5 Together with your most 
worthy bishop, and the ^well- 
wrought spiritual crown of your 
presbytery, and your deacons, 
which are according to God. 

6 Be subject to your bishop, 
and to one another, as Jesus 
Christ to the Father, according 
to the flesh; and the Apostles 
both to Christ, and to the Father, 
and to the Holy Ghost ; that so 



ye may ^ be united both in body 
and spirit. 

7 "^ Knowing you to be full of 
God, I have the more briefly ex- 
horted you. 

8 Be mindful of me in your 
prayers, that I may 'attain unto 
God, and of the church that is in 
Syria, from ^ which I am not 
worthy to be called. 

9 For I stand in need of your 
joint prayers in God, and of your 
charity, that the church which is 
in Syria may be thought worthy 
to be ^nourished by your church. 

10 The Ephesians ^from Smyr- 
na salute you, from which place 
I write unto you ; (being present 
here to the glory of God, in like 
manner as you are,) who have 
in all things refreshed me, to- 
gether with Polycarp, the bishop 
of the Smyrnaeans. 

1 1 The rest of the churches in 
the honor of Jesus Christ, salute 
you. 

12 ' Farewell, and be ye 
strengthened in the concord of 
God; ** enjoying his inseparable 
spirit, which is Jesus Christ. 

\ To the Magnesians, 



The EPISTLE of IGNATIUS to the TRALLIANS. 



CHAP. I. 

Acknowledges the coming of their 
bishop. 5 Commends them, for their 
subjection to their bishop, priests, 
and deacons ; and exhorts thetn to 



of God, having peace ® through 
the flesh and blood, and passion 
of Jesus Christ our hope, in the 
resurrection which is '"by him: 



continue in it: 15 is afraid even of \ which also I salute in its fullness, 
his overgreat desire to suffer, lest j continuing in the apostolical 
^li^oM be prejudicial to hitn. | character, wishing all joy and 

I GNATIUS, who is also called ^ ^ ^ 

1 Theophorus, to the holy 



church, which is at Tralles in 



happiness unto it. . 



There may be a union both fleshly 



Asia: beloved of God the Father and spiritual: ' Eph- i"- i9- /Find, 

r T r-v-L • ^ 1 ^ J ^-L enjoy. * Whence. ^Bedewed. Vid, 

of Jesus Christ, elect and worthy Epist. Interpol, inloc. Which came to 

'In yourselves. -^ Prov. xviii. 17, , Smyrna upon my account. "^ "Eppuade. 

Sept. 2 Worthily complicated. I ^ Possessing. ^ In. '° Unto. 

(182) 



and deacons. 



TRALLIANS. 



Desires to suffer* 



2 I have ' heard of your blame- 
less and ^ constant disposition 
through patience, which ^ not 
only appears in your outward 
conversation, but is naturally 
rooted and grounded in you. 

3 In like manner as Polybius 
your bishop has declared unto 
me, who came to me to Smyrna, 
by the will of God and Jesus 
Christ, and so rejoiced together 
with me " in my bonds for Jesus 
Christ, that in effect I saw your 
whole ' church in him. 

4 Having therefore received 
the ^ testimony of your good will 
towards me ' for God's sake, by 
him ; " I seemed to find you, as 
also I knew that ye were the 
• followers of God. 

5 For ^"whereas ye are sub- 
ject to your bishop as to Jesus 
Christ, ye appear to me to live 
not after the manner of men, but 
according to Jesus Christ; who 
died for us, that so believing in 
his death, ye might "escape death. 

6 It is therefore necessary, that 
as ye do, so without your bishop, 
you should do nothing : also be 
ye subject to your presbyters, as 
to the Apostles of Jesus Christ 
our hope ; in whom if we walk, 
we shall be found in him. 

7 ^''The deacons also, as being 
the ministers of the mysteries of 
Jesus Christ, must by all means 
please you. For they are not the 
"ministers of meat and drink, 
but of the church of God. Where- 

^Known. ^Inseparable mind. ^Which 
you have not according to use, but ac- 
cording to possession. * Who am 
bound. 5 Multitude. ^ Your benevo- 
lence. 'According to God. ^Vid. 
Vossium in loc. ^ Imitators. ^^ When. 
" Flee from. ^^ Vid. Vossium in loc. 
"Deacons, 



(J^83) 



fore they must avoid all offences, 
as they would do fire. 

8 In like manner let us rev- 
erence the deacons ^ as Jesus 
Christ ; and the bishop as the 
Father ; and the presbyters as 
the Sanhedrim of God, and col- 
lege of the Apostles. 

9 Without these there is no 
^church. Concerning all which 
I am persuaded that ye Uhink 
after the very same manner : for 
I have received, and even now 
have with me, the pattern of 
your love, in your bishop. 

10 Whose very * look is in- 
structive; and whose mildness 
" powerful : ^ whom I am per- 
suaded, the very Atheists them- 
selves cannot but reverence. 

1 1 But because I have a love 
towards you, I will not write any 
more sharply unto you about 
this matter, though I very well 
might ; but now I have done so ; 
lest being a condemned man, I 
should seem to prescribe to you 
as an Apostle. 

12 I have ^ great knowledge 
in God; but I ^refrain myself, 
lest I should perish in my boast- 
ing. 

13 For now I ought the more 
to fear; and not to hearken to 
those that would puff me up. 

14 For they that speak to me, 
in my praise, chasten me. 

15 For I indeed ^ desire to suf- 
fer, but I cannot tell whether I 
am worthy so to do. 

^ As also the bishop like Jesus Christ 
the Son of the Father. Vossius in loc. 
vid. aliter Cotelerium. ^A church is 
not called. ^ So do . * Habit of body, 
is great instruction. ^ Power. ^ Vid. 
Vossium et Usserium in loc. "^ I 
understand many things. ^Measure. 
^ Love. 



Warns against heresy. TRALLIANS. Exhorts to humility^ 



1 6 ^And this desire, though to 
others it does not appear, yet to 
myself it is for that very reason 
the more violent. I have, there- 
fore, need of ^ moderation ; by 
which the prince of this world 
is destroyed. 

17 Am I not able to write to 
you of heavenly things ? — But I 
fear lest I should harm you, 
who are yet but babes in Christ : 
(excuse me this care;) and lest 
perchance being not able to re- 
ceive them, ye should be choked 
with them. 

1 8 For even I myself, although 
I am in bonds, ^yet am not 
therefore able to understand 
heavenly things ; 

19 As the places of the angels, 
and the several companies of 
them, under their respective 
princes; things visible and in- 
visible ; but in these I am yet a 
learner. 

20 For many things are want- 
ing to us, that we come not short 
of God. 

CHAP. 11. 

I Warns them against heretics^ 4 ex- 
horts them to humitity and unity ^ 
10 briefly sets before them, the ti'ue 
doctrine concerning Christ. 

T EXHORT you therefore, or 
1 rather not I, but the love of 
Jesus Christ ; that ye use none 
but christian nourishment ; ab- 
staining from pasture which is 
of another kind, I mean heresy. 
2 ■* For they that are heretics, 
confound together the doctrine 
of Jesus Christ, with their own 

^ Vid. Annot Vossii in loc. ^ Mild- 
ness. ^Orders, * Vid. dehoc loco con- 
jecturas Vosii, Cotelerii, et Junii apud 
Usserium. Comp. Epist. Interpol, in 
loc. et Voss. Annot. in Epist. ad Phil. 
p. 281. 



poison : * whilst they seem wor- 
thy of belief : 

3 As men give a deadly potion 
mixed with sweet wine; which 
he who drinks of, does with the 
treacherous pleasure sweetly 
drink in his own death. 

4 Wherefore guard yourselves 
against such persons. And that 
you will do if you are not puffed 
up ; but continue inseparable 
from Jesus Christ our God, and 
from your bishop, and from the 
commands of the Apostles. 

5 ^ He that is within the altar is 
pure ; but he that is without, that 
is, that does any thing without the 
bishop, the presbyters, and dea- 
cons, is not pure in his conscience. 

6 Not that I know there is any 
thing of this nature among you ; 
but I fore-arm you, as being 
greatly beloved by me, foresee- 
ing the snares of the devil. 

7 Wherefore putting on meek- 
ness, renew yourselves in faith, 
that is, the flesh of the Lord; 
and in charity, that is, the blood 
of Jesus Christ. 

8 Let no man have any ^grudge 
against his neighbor. Give no 
occasion to the Gentiles ; lest by 
means of a few foolish men, the 
whole congregation of God be 
evil spoken of. 

9 For woe to that man "through 
whose vanity my name is blas- 
phemed by any. 

ID Stop your ears therefore, as 
often as any one shall speak 
^contrary to Jesus Christ; who 
was of the race of David, of the 
Virgin Mary. 

II Who was truly born and 

^ Being believed for their dignity. 

2 Vid. UsseriiObs.Marg. Comp. Cote- 

ler. ib. ^ Any thing. ■* Through whom 

in vanity, Isaiah, lii. 5. ^ WiSiouL 



C184) 



unify i and prayer 



TRALLIANS. 



for the Church, 



did eat and drink ; was truly per- 
secuted under Pontius Pilate ; 
was truly crucified and dead; 
both those in heaven and on 
earth, and under the earth, ' be- 
ing spectators of it. 

12 Who was also truly raised 
from the dead '^by his Father, 
after the same manner as ^ he will 
also raise up us who believe in 
him by Christ Jesus; without 
whom we have no true life. 

13 But if, as some who are 
Atheists, that is to say infidels, 
pretend, that he only seemed to 
suffer : (they themselves only 
seeming to exist) why then am I 
bound ? — Why do I desire to fight 
with beasts ? — Therefore do I die 
in vain : therefore I will not 
speak falsely against the Lord. 

14 Flee therefore these evil 
* sprouts which bring forth dead- 
ly fruit; of which if any one 
taste, he shall presently die. 

15 For these are not the plants 
of the Father ; seeing if they were, 
they would appear to be the 
branches of the cross, and their 
fruit would be incorruptible ; by 
which he invites you through his 
passion, who are members of him. 

16 For the head cannot be with- 
out its members, God having 
promised a union, that is himself. 

CHAP. III. 
He again exhorts to unity: and de- 
sires their prayers for himself and 
for his church at Antioch. 

T SALUTE you from Smyrna, 
1 ' together with the churches 
of God that are present with me ; 
who have refreshed me in all 
things, both in the flesh and in 
the spirit. 

* Seeing, or looking on. ' His Father 
raising him. ^ The Father. * Plants. 
•i.e. The delegates of the church. 

(I 



2 My bO'Uds, which I carry 
about me for the sake of Christ, 
(beseeching him that I may at- 
tain unto God) exhort you, that 
you continue in ' concord among 
yourselves, and in prayer with 
one another. 

3 For it becomes every one of 
you, especially the presbyters, to 
refresh the bishop, to the honor 
of the Father, of Jesus Christ, 
and of the Apostles. 

4 I beseech you, that you heark- 
en to me in love ; that I may not 
^by those things which I write, 
rise up in witness against you. 

5 Pray also for me ; who 
through the mercy of God stand 
in need of your prayers, that I 
may be worthy of the portion 
which I am about to obtain, that 
I be not found a reprobate. 

6 The love of those who are at 
Smyrna and Ephesus salute you. 
Remember in your prayers the 
church of Syria, from which I 
am not worthy to be called, be- 
ing one of the least ^ of it. 

7 Fare ye well in Jesus Christ ; 
being subject to your bishop as 
to the command of God ; and so 
likewise to the presbytery. 

8 Love every one his brother 
with an " unfeigned heart. ^ My 
soul be your expiation, not only 
now, but when I shall have at- 
tained unto God; for I am yet 
under danger. 

9 But the Father is faithful in 
Jesus Christ, to fulfill both mine 
and your petition : in whom may 
ye be found unblamable. 

\ To the Trallians. 

^ The concord of you. ^ Be a testi- 
mony among you, writing. ^Them. 
* Undivided. ^ Vid. Annot. Vossii et 
Coteler. in loc. 
«5) 



The EPISTLE of IGNATIUS to the ROMANS. 



CHAP. I. 

I He testifies his desire to see, and his 
hopes of suffering for Christy 5 
which he earnestly entreats them not 
to prevent, 10 but to pray for him, 
that God would strengthen him, to 
the combat. 

T GNATIUS, ' who is also called 
1 Theophorus, to the church 
which has obtained mercy "^ from 
the majesty of the Most High 
Father, and his only ^ begotten 
Son Jesus Christ; beloved, and 
illuminated ^ through the will of 
him who willeth all things which 
are according to the love of Jesus 
Christ our ' God ; which also pre- 
sides in the ^ place of the region 
of the Romans ; and which ' I 
salute in the name of Jesus 
Christ, (^ as being) united both 
in flesh and spirit to all his com- 
mands, and ^ filled with the grace 
of God ; " (all joy) in Jesus 
Christ our God. 

2 ''Forasmuch as I have at last 
" obtained through my prayers to 
God, to see your '"faces, '"which 
I much desired to do ; being 
bound in Jesus Christ, I hope ere 

* Vid. Pearson. Vind. Ignat. par. 2, 
ch. xvi. p. 214. 2 In. 2 Omitted, Gr. 
* In. ^ God ; which also presides in 
the place of the region of the Romans, 
worthy of God ; most decent, most 
blessed, most praised, most worthy to 
obtain what it desires ; most pure, 
most charitable, called by the name of 
Christ and the Father ; Gr. ^ Type of 
the chorus, i.e. the church of the Ro- 
mans. See Voss. Annot. in loc. 'Also. 
^ (The Son of the Father ; to those who 
are— Gr.) ^Wholly filled, Gr. io(Being 
absolutely separated from any other 
color ; much pure, or immaculate joy.) 
I'Gr. 12 Vid. Voss. Annot. in loc. 
"Worthy of God. i^^nd have re- 
ceived even more than I asked, being 
bound. 



long to salute you, if it shall be 
the will ' of God to grant me to 
attain unto the end I long for. 

3 For the beginning is well 
disposed, if I shall but have 
grace, without hindrance, to re- 
ceive ^ what is appointed for me. 

4 But I fear your love, lest it 
do me an injury. For it is easy 
for you to do what you please ; 
but it ^ will be hard for me to at- 
tain unto God, if you spare me. 

5 But I ''would not that ye 
should please men, but God; 
^ whom also ye do please. For 
neither shall I hereafter have such 
an opportunity "of going unto 
God ; nor will you, if ye shall 
now be silent, ever be entitled to 
a better work. For if you shall 
be silent ' in my behalf, I shall 
be made partaker of God. 

6 But if you shall love my 
*body, I shall have my course 
again to run. Wherefore ye can- 
not do me a greater kindness, 
than to suffer me to be sacrificed 
unto God, now that the altar i-s 
already prepared : 

7 That Vhen ye shall be gath- 
ered together in love, ye ma}^ 
" give thanks to the Father 
through Christ Jesus ; that he has 
vouchsafed " to bring a bishop of 
Syria unto you, being called from 
the east unto the west. 

8 For it is good for me to set 
from the world, unto God ; that 
I may rise again unto him. 

9 Ye have never envied any 
one ; ye have taught others. I 

J Gr. « My lot. Ms. -* I will not 
please you as men. Gr ^ As. ^ Attain- 
ing unto. ' From me. * Flesh. * Be- 
ing become a chorus. "^^ Sing. '^ That 
a bishop of Syria should be found. 



(186) 



Hopes to suffer 



ROMANS. 



for Chris Vs sake. 



would therefore that ye ' should 
now do those things yourselves, 
which in your instructions you 
have '^ prescribed to others. 

ID Only pra}^ for me, that God 
would give me both inward and 
outward strength, that I may 
not only say, but will; nor be 
only called a christian, but be 
found one. 

11 For if I shall be found a 
christian, I may then deservedly 
be called one ; And be thought 
faithful, when I shall no longer 
appear to the world. 

12 Nothing is ^ good, that is 
seen. 

13 For even our God, Jesus 
Christ, now that he is in the 
Father, does so much the more 
appear. 

14 A christian is not a work 
of " opinion ; but of greatness of 
mind, ('especially when he is 
hated by the world.) 

CHAP. II. 

Expresses his great desire and de- 
termination to suffer martyrdom. 

T WRITE to the churches, and 
1 "signify to them all, that I am 
willing to die for God, unless 
you ^hinder me. 

2 I beseech you that you ^shew 
not an unseasonable good will to- 
wards me. Suffer me to be food 
to the wild beasts; by whom I 
shall attain unto God. 

3 For I am the wheat of God ; 
and I shall be ground by the teeth 

^ That those things also should be 
firm. 2 Commanded. Vid. Annot. 
Usserii in loc. N. 26, 27. ^ Nothing that 
is seen is eternal : for the things which 
are seen are temporal, but the things 
that are not seen are eternal. Gr. 
^Persuasion, or silence. Gr. ''(Des- 
unt, Gr.) ^ Vid. Usser. Annot. N. 31. 
' Forbid me. ^ Be not. 



of the wild beasts, that I may be 
found the pure bread *of Christ. 

4 Rather ^encourage the beasts, 
that they may become my sepul- 
chre ; and may leave nothing of 
my body ; that being dead I may 
not be troublesome to any. 

5 Then shall I be truly the 
disciple of Jesus Christ, when 
the world shall not see so much 
as my body. Pray therefore 
unto Christ for me, that by these 
instruments I may be made the 
sacrifice ^ of God. 

6 I do not, as Peter and Paul, 
command you. They were Apos- 
tles, I a condemned man : they 
were free, but I am even to this 
day a servant: 

7 But if I shall suffer, I shall 
then become the freeman of Jesus 
Christ, and shall rise * free. And 
now, being in bonds, I learn not 
to desire 'any thing. 

8 From Syria even unto Rome, 
I fight with beasts both by sea 
and land; both night and day: 
being bound to ten leopards, that 
is to say, to such a band of sol- 
diers ; who, though treated with 
all manner of kindness, are the 
worse for it. 

9 But I am the more instruct- 
ed by their injuries; ''yet am I 
not therefore justified. 

10 May I enjoy the wild beasts 
that are prepared for me ; which 
also I wish may ^exercise all 
their fierceness upon me. 

1 1 And whom for that end I 
will '^encourage, that they may be 

Wid. Lat. Vet. Interp, et Annot. 
Usser. N. 32. ^ Flatter. ^Desunt. Gr. 
*Free in him, Gr. ^Any worldly or 
vain things. Gr. ^ i Cor. iv. 4. ' Vid. 
Voss in loc. Usser. Annot. N. 48. May 
be ready for me. Gr, ^ Usser. Annot. 
N. 48. 



(187) 



Earnestly desires 



ROMANS. 



fnariyrdom. 



sure to devour me, and not serve 
me as they have done some, whom 
out of fear they have not touched. 
But, and if they will not do it will- 
ingly, I will provoke them to it. 

12 Pardon me in this matter; 
I know what is profitable for me. 
Now I begin to ^ be a disciple : 
Nor ^ shall any thing move me, 
whether visible or invisible, that 
I may attain to Jesus Christ. 

13 Let fire, and the cross; let 
the ^ companies of wild beasts ; 
* let breaking of bones, and tear- 
ing of members ; let the 'shatter- 
ing in pieces of the whole body, 
and all "the wicked torments of 
the devil come upon me ; only let 
'me enjoy Jesus Christ. 

14 All the Vnds of the world, 
and the kingdoms ^ of it, will 
profit me nothing : I would rather 
die ^° for Jesus Christ, than rule 
to the utmost ends of the earth. 
^^ Him I seek who died for us ; 
him I desire, that rose again for 
us. This is the ^'gain that is 
laid up for me. 

15 Pardon me, my brethren, 
ye shall not hinder me from liv- 
ing : ( '^ Nor seeing I desire to go 
to God, may you separate me 
from him, for the sake of this 
world ; nor seduce me by any of 
the ''' desires of it). Suffer me to 
* 'enter into pure light. Where 

* Luke, xiv. 27. ^Vid. Coteler. in 
loc. Rom. viii. 38, 39. ^ Force, or 
rage. ^ Let tearings and rendings, 
Gr. 5 vid Usser. Annot. N. 56. ^ib. 
N. 57. ''That I may enjoy. ^Gr. 
Pleasures. ^ Of this age, ^"Gr. unto. 
" For what is a man profited if he shall 
gain the whole world and lose his own 
soul. Gr. Add. ^^ Usury. Gr. Vid. 
Voss. Correct, p. 301. ^^Nor desire 
that I should die, who seek to go to 
God, rejoice not in the world, Gr. 
" By matter. " Take : lay hold on. 



being come, I shall be indeed the 
' servant of ' God. 

16 Permit me to imitate the 
passion of my God. If any one 
has him within himself, let him 
consider what I desire; and let 
him have compassion on me, as 
knowing ^ how I am straight- 
ened. 

CHAP. III. 

Further expresses his desire to suffer. 

THE prince of this world would 
fain carry me away, and cor- 
rupt my * resolution towards my 
God. Let none of you ' therefore 
help "him: Rather do ye join 
with me, that is, with God. 

2 Do not speak with Jesus 
Christ, and yet covet the world. 
Let not any envy dwell with you ; 
No not though I myself, when I 
shall be come unto you, should 
exhort you to it, yet do not ye 
hearken to me ; but rather believe 
what I now write to you. 

3 For though I am alive at the 
writing this, yet my desire is to 
die. My love is crucified; X^nd 
the ^fire that is within me does 
not desire any water ; but being 
alive and ^ springing wnthin me, 
says,) Come to the Father. 

4 I take no pleasure in the 
food of corruption, nor in the 
pleasures of this life. 

5 I desire the bread of God 
"which is the flesh of Jesus Christ, 

^Man. 5 Vid. Annot, Voss. in loc. 
3 What things constrain me. * Mind : 
will. 5 Who are present. '^Vid. Voss. 
Annot. in loc. ' (And there is QOt any 
fire within me that loves matter, but 
living and speaking water saying \yith- 
in me. Gr. ) ^ Coteler. aliter explicat. 
Annot, in loc. Usser. N. 79. ^ Voss. in 
loc. Contr. Coteler, q. v, ^^ The heav- 
enly bread which is. Gr. 



(188) 



Further desires 



PHILADELPHIANS. 



to suffer. 



Q of the seed of David; and the 
drink that I long for) is his blood, 
which is incorruptible love." 

6 I have no desire to live any 
longer after the manner of men ; 
^ neither shall I, if you consent. 
Be ye therefore willing, that ye 
yourselves also may be ' pleasing 
to God. I ' exhort you ' in a 
few words; I pray you believe 
me. 

7 Jesus Christ will shew you 
that I speak truly. My mouth 
is without deceit, and the Father 
hath truly spoken ' by it. Pray 
therefore for me, that I may ac- 
complish what I desire. 

8 I have not written to you 
after the flesh, but according to 
the will of God. If I shall suffer, 
^ ye have loved me : but if I 
shall be rejected, " ye have hat- 
ed me. 

9 Remember in your prayers 
the church of Syria, which now 
enjoys God for its shepherd in- 
stead of me: "Let Jesus Christ 
only " oversee it, and your 
charity. 

10 But I am even ashamed to 
be reckoned as one of them : For 
neither am I worthy, being the 
least among them, and as one 



' born out of due season. But 
through mercy I have obtained 
to be somebody, if I shall get 
unto God. 

1 1 My spirit salutes you ; and 
the charity of the churches that 
have received me in the name of 
Jesus Christ ; not as a passenger. 
For even they that were not near 
to me in the way, have gone be- 
fore me to thenext city to meet me. 

12 These things I write to you 
from Smyrna, by the most wor- 
thy of the church of Ephesus. 

13 There is now with me, to- 
gether with many others, Crocus, 
most beloved of me. As for 
those which are ^ come from 
Syria, and are gone before me to 
Rome, to the glory of God, I 
suppose you are not ignorant of 
them. 

14 Ye shall therefore signify 
to them that I draw near, for 
they are all worthy both of God 
and of you : Whom it is fit that 
you refresh in all things. 

15 This have I written to you, 
the day before the ninth of the 
calends of September. ^ Be strong 
unto the end, in the patience of 
Jesus Christ." 

T[ To the Romans, 



The EPISTLE of IGNATIUS to the PHILADELPHIANS. 



CHAP. I. 
Commends their bishop, whom they had 
sent unto him,, 5 warns them, against 
divisions and schisfn. 

^ (The Son of God made in these 
last times of the seed of David and 
Abraham, and the drink of God that 
I long for. Gr.) '^ Gr. Adds, and per- 
petual life. ^And that shall be. 
* Willed. ^Vid. Annot. Voss. in loc 
^ By a short letter. ' In. ^ Ye have 
willed it. ' Viz . as unworthy to suffer. 
" Vid. Vet. Interp. Lat. " Shall over- 
see it 



T GNATIUS, who is also called 
1 Theophorus, to the church of 
God the Father, and our Lord 
Jesus Christ, which is at Philadel- 
phia in Asia ; which has obtain- 
ed mercy, being fixed in the 
concord of God, and rejoicing 
' evermore in the passion of our 
Lord, and being fulfilled in all 

1 I Cor. XV. 8. ^ Vid. Vet. Interp. 
Lat. ^ That is, the xxiiid of August. 
Gr. * Amen. Gr. ^ Inseparably. 



(189) 



Commends their 



PHILADELPHIANS. 



bishop. 



mercy through his resurrection : 
Which also I salute in the blood 
of Jesus Christ, ' which is our 
eternal and undefiled joy; espe- 
cially if they are at unity with 
the bishop, and presbyters who 
are with him, and the deacons ap- 
pointed ^ according to the ' mind 
of Jesus Christ ; whom he has set- 
tled according to his own will in 
all firmness by his Holy Spirit: 

2 Which bishop I know ob- 
tained *that great ministry among 
you, not of himself, neither by 
men, nor out of vain glory ; but 
* by the love of God the Father, 
and our Lord Jesus Christ : 

3 Whose moderation ^ I ad- 
mire ; who by his silence is able 
to do more than ' others with all 
their vain talk. For he is fitted 
to the commands, as the harp to 
its strings. 

4 Wherefore my soul esteems 
his mind towards God most 
happy, knowing it to be fruitful 
in all virtue, and perfect; full of 
constancy, free from passion, 
^ and according to all the modera- 
tion of the living God. 

5 Wherefore as becomes the 
children both of the light and of 
truth, flee divisions and false 
doctrines : but where your shep- 
herd is, there do ye, as sheep, 
follow after. 

6 For there are many wolves 
" who seem worthy of belief, that 
with a ^" false pleasure lead cap- 
tive those that run in the course 
of God ; but in your concord 
they shall find no place. 

1 Vid. Vet. Interp. Lat. ^ ^ j^. 
^ Will, order. * Ministry belonging to 
the public. ^ In. ^ Has struck me 
' Those that speak vain 
® Vid. Vossii Annot. in 



with wonder, 
things. ^ In. 
loc. " Evil. 



7 Abstain therefore from those 
evil herbs which Jesus Christ 
does not dress ; because such are 
not the plantation of the Father. 
Not that I have found any divi- 
sion among you, but rather all 
manner of ' purity. 

8 For as many as are of God, 
and of Jesus Christ, are also with 
their bishop. And as many as 
shall with repentance return into 
the unity of the church, even 
these shall also be the servants 
of God, that they may live ac- 
cording to Jesus Christ. 

9 Be not deceived, brethren ; 
if an3^ one follows him that makes 
a schism in the church, he shall 
not inherit the kingdom of God. 
If any one walks after any other 
opinion, he agrees not with the 
passion of Christ. 

10 Wherefore let it be your 
endeavor to partake all of the 
same holy eucharist. 

11 For there is but one flesh 
of our Lord Jesus Christ; and 
one cup in the unity of his blood ; 
one altar; 

12 As also there is one bishop, 
together with his presbytery, and 
the deacons, my fellow-servants : 
that so whatsoever ye do, ye may 
do it according to the will of God. 

CHAP. IL 

Desires their prayers, and to be unit- 
ed, but not to Judaize. 

MY brethren, the love I have 
towards you makes me the 
^ more large ; and having a great 
joy in you, I endeavor to secure 
you against danger ; or rather not 
I, but Jesus Christ; in whom 
being bound I the more fear, as 



' Cleanliness made by sifting, 
much poured out. 



Very 



Exhorts to 



PHILADELPHIANS. 



umon. 



being yet only * on the way to 
suffering. 

2 But your prayer to God shall 
make me perfect, that I may at- 
tain to that portion, which by 
God's mercy is allotted to me ; 
Fleeing to the Gospel as to the 
flesh of Christ ; and to the Apos- 
tles as to the presbytery of the 
church. 

3 Let us also love the prophets, 
for as much as they also have 
" led us to the Gospel, and to hope 
in ' Christ, and to expect him. 

4 In whom also believing they 
were saved in the unity of Jesus 
Christ ; being holy men, worthy 
to be loved, and had in wonder; 

5 Who have received testi- 
mony from Jesus Christ, and are 
numbered in the Gospel of our 
common hope. 

6 But if any one shall preach 
* the Jewish law unto you, heark- 
en not unto him ; for it is better 
to receive the doctrine of Christ 
from one that has been circum- 
cised, than Judaism from one 
that has not. 

7 But if either the one, or other, 
do not speak concerning Christ 
Jesus ; they seem to me to be but 
as monuments and sepulchres of 
the dead, upon which are written 
only the names of men. 

8 Flee therefore the wicked 
arts and snares of the prince of 
this world ; lest at any time being 
oppressed by his ^cunning, ye 
grow ^ cold in your charity. But 
come all together into the same 
place, with an undivided heart. 

9 And I bless my God that I 

^ Vid. Voss. in loc. Imperfect. ^ Or 
preached of the Gospel : and hoped in 
him, and expected him. * Vid. Voss. 
in loc. * Judaism. * Opinion ; coun- 
cil. ® Weak. 



have a good conscience towards 
you, and that no one among you 
has whereof to boast either openly 
or privately, that I have been 
burthensome to him in much or 
little. 

10 And I wish to all among 
whom I have conversed, that it 
may not turn to a witness against 
them. 

1 1 For although some would 
have deceived me according to 
the flesh, yet the spirit, being 
from God, is not deceived : for it 
knows both whence it comes and 
whither it goes, and reproves the 
secrets of the heart. 

1 2 I cried whilst I was among 
you ; I spake with a loud voice : 
attend to the bishop, and to the 
presbytery, and to the deacons. 

13 Now some supposed that I 
spake this as foreseeing the divi- 
sion^that should come amongyou. 

14 But he is my witness for 
whose sake I am in bonds that 
I knew nothing from any 'man. 
But the spirit spake, saying on 
this wise: Do nothing without 
the bishop : 

15 Keep your '^bodies as the 
temples of God: Love Unity; 
Flee divisions ; Be the followers 
of Christ, as he was of his Father. 

16 I therefore did as became 
me, as a man composed to unity, 
For where there is division, and 
wrath, God dwelleth not. 

17 But the Lord forgives all 
that repent, if they ^ return to the 
unity of God, and to the council 
of the bishop. 

1 8 For I trust in the grace of 
Jesus Christ *that he will free 
you from every bond. 

' Repent. 



iQf some. 2 pi^gh. 
* Who will loose from you. 
(191) 



Exhorts to 



PHILADELPHIANS.' 



umon. 



19 Nevertheless I exhort you 
that you do nothing out of strife, 
but according to the instruction 
of Christ. 

20 Because I have heard of 
some who say: unless I find it 
written in the ^originals, I will 
not believe it to be written in the 
Gospel. And when I said, It is 
written ; they answered what lay 
before them in their corrupted 
copies. 

21 But to me Jesus Christ is 
instead of all the uncorrupted 
monuments in the world ; to- 
gether with those ^undefiled 
monuments, his cross, and death, 
and resurrection, and the faith 
which is by him; by which I 
desire, through your prayers, to 
be justified. 

22 \ The priests indeed are 
good; but much better is the 
High Priest to whom the Holy 
of Holies has been committed; 
and who alone has been en- 
trusted with the secrets of God. 

23 He is the door of the Fa- 
ther; by which Abraham, and 
Isaac, and Jacob, and all the 
prophets, enter in ; as well as the 
Apostles, and the church. 

24 And all these things tend 
to the unity which is of God. 
Howbeit the Gospel has some- 
what in it far above all other 
dispensations; namely the ap- 
pearance of our Saviour, the 
Lord Jesus Christ, his passion 
and resurrection. 

25 For the beloved prophets 
referred to him ; but the Gospel 
is the perfection of incorruption. 
All therefore together are good, 
if ye believe with charity. 

^ * Archives, Vid. Voss. Annot. in loc. 
Untouched. 



CHAP. III. 

Informs them he had heard that the 
persecution was stopped at Antioch ; 
and directs them, to send a m.essenger 
thither to congratulate with the 
church. 

NOW as concerning the church 
of Antioch which is in Syria, 
seeing I am told that through 
your prayers and the bowels 
which ye have towards it in Je- 
sus Christ, it is in peace ; it will 
become you as the church of 
God, to ordain some ' deacon to go 
to them thither as the ambassador 
of God ; that he may rejoice with 
them when they meet together, 
and glorify God's name. 

2 Blessed be that man in Jesus 
Christ, who shall be found worthy 
of such a ministry ; and y^ your- 
selves also shall be glorified. 

3 Now if ye be willing, it is 
not impossible for you to do this 
for the grace of God ; as also the 
other neighboring churches have 
sent them, some bishops, some 
priests and deacons. 

4 As concerning Philo the dea- 
con of Cilicia, a most worthy 
^ man, he still ministers unto me 
in the word of God: together 
with Rheus ^of Agathopolis a 
singular good person, who has 
followed me even from Syria, 
not regarding his life : These 
also bear witness unto you. 

5 And I myself give thanks 
to God for you, that you receive 
them as the Lord shall receive 
you. But for those that dis- 
honored them, may they be for- 
given through the grace of Jesus 
Christ. 

^ Messenger or minister. * Vid. 
Vossius, a martyr or confessor. Vid. 
Annot. in loc. *Vid. Vossius Annot. 
in Ep. ad Smyrna, p. 261. See chap, 
iii. V. II. 



(192) 



On the person 



SMYRN^ANS. 



of Christ 



6 The charity of the brethren 
that are at Troas salutes you : 
from whence also I now write by 
Burrhus, who was sent together 
with me by those of Ephesus and 
Smyrna, for respect sake. 



7 May our Lord Jesus Christ 
honor them ; in whom they hope, 
both in flesh, and soul, and 
spirit ; in faith, in love, in unity. 
Farewell in Christ Jesus our 
common hope. 



The EPISTLE of IGNATIUS to the SMYRN^ANS. 

CHAP. I. [baptized of John; that so 'all 

I Declares his joy for their firmness '^'^^'^^f^^^^^^^^ might be fulfilled 
in the Gospel. 4 Enlarges on the by him. 
person of Christ, against such as 5 He was also truly crucified 

^'uff'r^ ^^'""^ ^^'"^^^^ ^^ "^^ ^^^^^^ ^^ Pontius Pilate, and Herod 
^ ' ■ the Tetrarch, being nailed for us 



T GNATIUS, who is also called 
1 Theophorus, to the church of 
God the Father, and of the be- 
loved Jesus Christ, which God 
hath mercifully ' blessed with 
every good gift ; being filled with 
faith and charity, so that it is 
wanting in no gift ; most worthy 
of God, and fruitful in saints ; 
the church which is at Smyrna 
in Asia ; all joy, through his im- 
maculate spirit, and the word of 
God. 

2 I glorify God, even Jesus 
. Christ, who has given you such 

wisdom. 

3 For I have observed that 
you are settled in an immoveable 
faith, as if you were nailed to the 
cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
both in the flesh and in the spirit ; 
and are confirmed in love through 
the blood of Christ ; being fully 
persuaded of those things which 
relate "" unto our Lord. 

4 Who truly was of the race 
of David according to the flesh, 
but the Son of God according to 
the will and power of God; 
truly born of the Virgin, and 

* Comp. I Cor. i. 5, 7. * Unto the 
Lord. 



(193) 



in the flesh; by the fruits of 
which we are, even by his most 
blessed passion ; 

6 That he might set "up a 
token for all ages through his 
resurrection, to all his holy and 
faithful servants, whether they 
be Jews or Gentiles, in one body 
of his church. 

7 Now all these things he suf- 
fered for us that we might be 
saved. And he suffered truly, as 
he also truly raised up himself : 
And not, as some unbelievers 
say, that he only seemed to suf- 
fer, they themselves only seem- 
ing to be.^ 

8 And as they believe so shall 
it happen unto them ; when be- 
ing divested of the body they 
shall become *mere spirits. 

9 But I know that even after 
his resurrection he was in the 
flesh ; and I believe that he is 
still so. 

10 And when he came to those 
who were with Peter, ^he said 

^ Matt. iii. 15. ' Vid. Voss. Annot. 
in loc. 2 i. e. Christians. * Incorporeal 
and daemoniac. ^ Ex.. Evang. Sec. 
Hebr. See Dr. Garbe Spicileg. torn, 
ii., p. 26. 



Exhorts against 



SMYRNiEANS. 



heretics. 



unto them, Take, handle me, and 
see that I am not an incorporeal 
daemon. And straightway they 
felt and believed ; being con- 
vinced both by his flesh and 
spirit. 

1 1 For this cause they despis- 
ed death, and were found to be 
above ^ it. 

12 But after his resurrection 
he did eat and drink with them, 
as he was flesh ; although as to 
his Spirit he was united to the 
Father. 

CHAP. II. 

I Exhort them againsi heretics. ^The 
danger of their doctrine. 

NOW these things, beloved, I 
^put you in mind of, not 
questioning but that you your- 
selves also ^believe that they 
are so. 

2 But I arm you before-hand 
against certain beasts in the 
shape of men whom you must 
not only not receive, but if it be 
possible must not meet with. 

3 Only you must pray for 
them, that if it be the will of 
God they may repent ; which yet 
will be very hard. But of this 
our Lord Jesus Christ has the 
power, who is our true life. 

4 For if all these things were 
done only in shew by our Lord, 
then do I also seem only to be 
bound : 

5 And why have I given up 
myself to death, to the fire, to 
the sword, to wild beasts ! 

6 But now the nearer I am to 
the sword, the nearer I am to 
God: when I shall come among 
the wild beasts, I shall come to 
God. 

7 Only in the name of Jesus 
* Death. "^ Admonish, ^ Have so. 



Christ, I undergo all, to suffer 
together with him ; he who was 
made a perfect man strengthen- 
ing me. 

8 Whom some, not knowing, 
do deny; or rather have been 
denied by him, being the ad- 
vocates of death, rather than of 
the truth. Whom neither the 
prophecies, nor the law of Moses 
have persuaded ; nor the Gospel 
itself even to this day, nor the 
sufferings of every one of us. 

9 For thej^ think also the same 
things of us. For what does a 
man profit me, if he shall praise 
me, and blaspheme my Lord ; not 
confessing that he ^ was truly 
made man ? 

10 Now he that doth not say 
this, does in effect deny him, and 
is in death. But for the names 
of such as do this, they being 
unbelievers, I thought it not 
fitting to write them unto you. 

11 Yea, God forbid that I 
should make any mention of 
them, till they shall repent to a 
true belief of Christ's passion, 
which is our resurrection. 

12 Let no man deceive him- 
self; both the things which are 
in heaven and the glorious angels, 
and princes, whether visible, or 
invisible, if they believe not in 
the blood of Christ, Mt shall be 
to them to condemnation. 

1 3 ^ He that is able to receive 
this, let him receive it. Let no 
man's * place or state in the world 
puff him up : that which is worth 
all is faith and charity, to which 
nothing is to be preferred. 

14 But consider those who are 
of a different opinion from us, as 

'Had true flesh. 'It is. *Matt. 
xix. 12. *Vid. Epist. Interpol. 



(194) 



Danger of heresy. 



SMYRN^ANS. 



On duty 



to what concerns the grace of the Apostles. And reverence the 



Jesus Christ which is come unto 
us, how contrary they are to the 
design of God. 

15 They have no regard to 
charity, no care of the widow, 
the fatherless, and the oppressed ; 
of the bond or free, of the hungry 
or thirsty. 

16 They abstain from the eu- 
charist, and from ' the public 
offices ; because they confess not 
the eucharist to be the flesh of 
our Saviour Jesus Christ ; which 
suffered for our sins, and which 
the Father of his goodness, rais- 
ed again from the dead. 

17 And for this cause contra- 
dicting the gift of God, they die 
in their disputes : " but much 
better would it be for them to 
' receive it, that they might one 
day rise through it. 

18 It will therefore become 
you to abstain from such persons ; 
and not to speak with them nei- 
ther in private nor in public. 

19 But to hearken to the 
prophets, and especially to the 
Gospel, in which both Christ's 
passion is manifested unto us, 
and his resurrection perfectly 
declared. 

20 But ilee all divisions, as 
the beginning of evils. 

CHAP. III. 

I Exhorts them to follow their bishop 
and pastors ; but especially their 
bishop, 6 Thanks them for their 
kindness^ 11 and acquaints them, 
with the ceasing of the persecution 
at Antioch, 

SEE that ye all follow your 
bishop, as Jesus Christ, the 
Father; and the presbytery, as 

*Vid. Annot. Coteler. in loc. Or 
Prayers. 'Vid. Coteler. Annot *Love, 



(X95) 



deacons, as the command of 
God. 

2 Let no man do any thing of 
what belongs to the church sep- 
arately from the bishop. 

3 Let that eucharist be looked 
upon as well established, which 
is either offered by the bishop, 
or by him to whom the bishop 
has given his consent. 

4 Wheresoever the bishop shall 
appear, there let the ' people also 
be : as where Jesus Christ is, 
there is the Catholic church. 

5 It is not lawful without the 
bishop, neither to baptize, nor 
' to celebrate the Holy Commun- 
ion: but whatsoever he shall 
approve of, that is also pleasing 
unto God ; that so whatever 
is done, may be sure and well 
done. 

6 For what remains, it is very 
reasonable that we should ^re- 
pent whilst there is yet time to 
return unto God. 

7 It is a good thing to have a 
due regard both to God, and to 
the bishop: he that honors the 
bishop, shall be honored of God. 
But he that does any thing with- 
out his knowledge, * ministers 
unto the devil. 

8 Let all things therefore 
abound to you in charity ; seeing 
that ye are worthy. 

9 Ye have refreshed me in all 
things ; so shall Jesus Christ you. 
Ye have loved me both when I 
was present with you, and now be- 
ing absent, ye cease not to do so. 

10 May God be your reward, 
for whom whilst ye undergo all 
things, ye shall attain unto him. 

* Multitude. * Make a love-feast. 
' Return to a sound mind. * Does 
worship. 



to the bishop 



SMYRN^ANS. 



and pastors. 



1 1 Ye have done well in that ye | are again restored to their former 



have received Philo, and Rheus 
^ Agathopus, who followed me 
"^ for the word of God, as the 
deacons of Christ our God. 

1 2 Who also gave thanks unto 
the Lord for you, forasmuch as 
ye have refreshed them in all 
^ things. ' Nor shall any thing 
that you have done be lost to 
you. 

13 My ^ soul be for yours, and 
my bonds which ye have not de- 
spised, nor been ashamed of. 
Wherefore neither shall Jesus 
Christ, our perfect faith, be 
ashamed of you. 

14 Your prayer is come to the 
church of Antioch which is in 
Syria. From whence being sent 
bound with chains becoming God, 
I salute the 'churches; being 
not worthy to be called 'from 
thence, as being the least among 
them. 

1 5 Nevertheless by the will of 
God I have been thought worthy 
of this honor; not for that I 
think I have deserved it, but by 
the grace of God. 

16 Which I wish may be per- 
fectly given unto me, that 
through your prayers I may at- 
tain unto God, 

17 And therefore that your 
work may be fully accomplished 
both upon earth and in heaven ; 
it will be fitting, and for the honor 
of God, ' that your church ap- 
point some worthy delegate, who 
being come as far as Syria, may 
rejoice together with them that 
they are in peace ; and that they 

* Vid. Voss. Annot. in loc. ^Unto. 
3 Ways. 4 Vid. Epist. Interpol. ^ Spir- 
it. « All the. 'i.e. The bishop of 
that church. ^Vid. Voss. Annot. in 
loc. 



^ state, and have again received 
their proper body. 

1 8 Wherefore I should think it 
a worthy action, to send some one 
from you with an epistle, to con- 
gratulate with them their peace 
in God; and that through your 
prayers, they have now gotten 
to their harbor. 

19 For in as much as ye are 
perfect yourselves, you ought to 
think those things that are per- 
fect. For when you are desirous 
to do well, God is ready to ^ en- 
able you thereunto. 

20 The love of the brethren 
that are at Troas salute you; 
from whence I write to you by 
Burrhus whom you sent with 
me, together with the Ephesians 
your brethren ; and who has in 
all things refreshed me. 

2 1 And I would to God that all 
would imitate him, as being a 
pattern of the ministry of God. 
May his grace fully reward him. 

22 I salute your very worthy 
bishop, and your venerable pres- 
bytery; and your deacons, my 
fellow-servants ; and all of you in 
general, and every one in particu- 
lar, in the name of Jesus Christ, 
and in his flesh and blood ; in his 
passion and resurrection both 
fleshly and spiritually; and in 
' the unity of God * with you. 

23 Grace be with you, and 
mercy, and peace, and patience, 
for evermore. 

24 I salute the families of my 

brethren, with their wives and 

children ; and the " virgins that 

^Bulk, greatness. ^ Help you. ^Vid. 
Voss. Annot. in loc. "^And. M. e. 
The deaconesses. See the reason for 
the name, Voss. Annot. in loc. Add. 
Coteler. ib. 



(196) 



Ignatius exhorts 



POLYCARP. 



Polycarp 



Be strong in 



are called widows, 
the power of the Holy Ghost. 
Philo, who is present with me, 
salutes you. 

25 I salute the house of 
Tavias, and pray that it may be 
strengthened in faith and char- 
ity, both of flesh and spirit. 



26 I salute Alee my well-be- 
loved, ' together with the incom- 
parable Daphnus, and Eutechnus, 
and all by name. 

27 Farewell in the grace of 
God. • 

\ To the SmyrncBans from Troas. 



The EPISTLE of IGNATIUS to POLYCARP. 



CHAP. I. I 

Blesses God for the firm establishment 1 
of Polycarp in the faith, and gives 
him. particular directions for im- 

provi7ig it. I 

IGNATIUS, who is also called 
1 Theophorus, to Polycarp, 
bishop of the church * which is 
at Smyrna ; their overseer, but | 
rather himself overlooked by ' 
God the Father, and the Lord 
Jesus Christ : all happiness. | 
2 Having known that thy ' 
mind towards God, is fixed as it I 
were upon an immovable rock ; ' 
I exceedingly give thanks, that 
I have been thought worthy to 



Be watchful, having thy spirit 
always awake. 

' 6 Speak to every one "accord- 
ing as God shall enable thee. 
Bear the ^infirmities of all, as 
a perfect combatant : where the 
labor is great, the gain * is the 
more. 

7 If thou shalt love the good 
disciples, what thank is it? But 
rather do thou subject to thee 
those that are mischievous, in 
meekness. 

8 Every wound is not healed 
with the same plaster: if the 
accessions of the disease be vehe- 
ment, modify them with ^soft 



behold thy 'blessed face, in which \ remedies: be in all things 'wise 
may I always rejoice in God. j as a serpent, but harmless as a 
3 Wherefore I beseech thee by | dove. 



the grace of God with which 
thou art clothed, to press forward 
in thy course, and to exhort all 
others that they may be saved. 

4 Maintain thy place with all 
care, ^both of flesh and spirit: 
Make it thy endeavour to pre- 
serve unity, than which nothing 
is better. Bear with all men, even 
as the Lord with thee. 

5 Support all in love, as also 
thou dost. * Pray without ceas- 
ing: 
than 

* Of the Smyrnaeans. * Innocent. 
^Vid. I Cor. vii. 34, *Be jit leisure 
to, &c 



9 For this cause thou art com- 
posed of flesh and spirit; that 
thou mayest modify those things 
that appear before thy face. 

10 And as for those that are 
not seen, pray to God that he 
would reveal them unto thee, that 
so thou mayest be wanting in 
nothing, but mayest abound in 
every gift. 

1 1 The times demand thee, as 



the pilots the wind; and he that 
ask more understanding \ is tossed in a tempest, the haven 
what thou already hast. 1 See Voss. Annot. ex Epist. Interpol. 

*Vid. Voss. in loc. aliter Vet. Lat. 

Interpr. * The diseases. "^Is muc^. 

^ Superfusions« *Matt x. 16. 



(197} 



to improve 



POLYCARP. 



his faith. 



where he would be ; that thou 
mayest attain unto God. 

12 Be sober as the combatant 
of God : the ' crown proposed 
to thee is immortality and eternal 
life ; concerning which thou art 
also fully persuaded. I will be 
thy surety in all things, and my 
bonds, which thou hast loved. 

13 Let not those that seem 
worthy of credit, but teach other 
doctrines, Misturb thee. Stand 
firm and immovable, as an anvil 
when it is beaten upon. 

14 It is the part of a brave 
combatant to be ^wounded, and 
yet overcome. But especially we 
ought to endure all things, for 
God's sake, that he may bear 
with us. 

15 Be every day * better than 
other : consider the times ; and 
expect him, who is above all 
time, eternal, invisible, though 
for our sakes made visible : im- 
palpable, and impassable, yet 
for us subjected to sufferings; 
enduring all manner of ways for 
our salvation. 

CHAP. II. 

I Continues his advicCy 6 and teaches 
him how to advise others. 12 In- 
forces unity and subjection to the 
bishop. 

LET not the widows be neg- 
lected : be thou after God, 
their guardian. 

2 Let nothing be done without 
thy knowledge and consent ; nei- 
ther do thou any thing but accord- 
ing to the will of God ; as also 
thou dost, ^ with all constancy. 

3 Let your assemblies be more 
full : inquire into all by name. 

* Vid. Voss. Annot. in loc. Collat. 
cum Coteler. ib. ^Amaze thee. ^Beat- 
en. '*More studious, diligent. ^ Being 
well settled. 



I198) 



4 Overlook not the men and 
maid servants; neither let them 
be puffed up : but rather let them 
be the more subject to the glory 
of God, that they may obtain 
from him a better liberty. 

5 Let them not desire to ^ be set 
free at the public cost, that they 
be not slaves to their own lusts. 

6 Flee evil ^ arts ; or rather, 
make not any mention of them. 

7 Say to my sisters, that they 
love the Lord ; and be satisfied 
with their own husbands, both 
in the flesh and spirit. 

8 In like manner, exhort my 
brethren in the name of Jesus 
Christ, that they love their wives, 
even as the Lord the church. 

9 If any man can remain in a 
virgin state, ^ to the honor of the 
flesh of Christ, let him remain 
without boasting ; but if he boast 
he is undone. And if he desire 
to be more taken notice of than 
the bishop, he is corrupted. 

10 But it becomes all such as 
are married, whether men or 
women to come together with the 
consent of the bishop, that so 
their marriage may be according 
to godliness, and not in lust. 

11 Let all things be done to 
the honor of God. 

1 2 " Hearken unto the bishop, 
that God also may hearken unto 
you. My soul be security for 
them that submit to their bishop, 
with their presbyters and dea- 
cons. And may my portion be 
together with theirs in God. 

1 3 Labor with one another; con- 

^ Vid. Annot. Coteler. in loc. « Or, 
trades. ^ Vid. Annot. Vossii et Cotel- 
er. in loc. * Observe, from the fore- 
going verses, that Ignatius speaks not 
here to Poly carp, but through him to 
the Church of Smyrna. 



Desires to greet 



POLYCARP. 



the churches. 



tendtogether, run together, suffer this work is botli God's anri 
together ; sleep together, and rise yours; when ye shall have per- 
together ; as the stewards, and fected it. 

assessors, and ministers of God. 4 For I trust tin ougb the grace 
14 Please him under whom ye of God that ye are ready to every 



war ; and from whom ye receive 
your wages. Let none of you be 
found a deserter; but let your 
baptism remain, as your arms; 
your faith, as your helmet ; your 
charity, as your spear ; your pa- 
tience, as your whole armour. 

15 Let your works be your 
'charge, that so you may receive a 
suitable reward. Be long suffering 
therefore towards each other in 
meekness ; as God is towards you. 

16 Let me have joy of you in 
all things. 

CHAP. III. 

I Greets Polycarp on the peace of the 
church at Antioch: 2 and desires him 
to write to that and other churches. 

NOW forasmuch as the church 
of Antioch in Syria is, ' as 
I am told, in peace through your 
prayers; I also have been the 
more comforted ^ and without 
care in God ; if so be that by suf- 
fering, I shall attain unto God; 
that through your prayers I may 
be found a disciple of Christ. 

2 It will be very fit, O most 
worthy Polycarp, to call a "select 
council, and choose some one 
whom ye particularly love, and 
who is patient of labor ; that he 
may be the messenger of God ; 
and that going unto Syria, he 
may glorify your incessant love, 
to the praise of Christ. 

3 A christian has not the power 
of himself ; but must be always 
at leisure for God's service. Now 

'That which is committed to your 
custody, to keep secure. ^ It has been 
manifested unto me. ^ In the security 
of God. * Most becoming God. 



good work that is fitting for you 
in the Lord. 

5 Knowing therefore your 
earnest affection for the truth, I 
have exhorted you by ^ these 
short letters. 

6 But forasmuch as I have not 
been able to write to all the 
churches, because I must sudden- 
ly sail from Troas to Neapolis ; 
(for so is the command of those 
to whose pleasure I am subject ;) 
do you write to the churches that 
are near you, as being instructed 
in the will of God, that they also 
may do in like manner. 

7 Let those that are able send 
' messengers ; and let the rest 
send their letters by those who 
shall be sent by you : that you 
may be glorified ^ to all eternity, 
of which you are worthy. 

8 I salute all by name ; partic- 
ularly the wife of Epitropus, 
with all her house and children. 

1 salute Attains my well-beloved. 

9 I salute him, who shall be 
thought worthy to be sent by you 
into Syria. Let grace be ever 
with him, *and with Polycarp 
who sends him. 

10 I wish you all happiness in 
our God, Jesus Christ ; in whom 
continue, in the unity and pro- 
tection of God. 

Ill salute Alee my well-be- 
loved. Farewell in the Lord. 
T[ To Polycarp. 

' Viz. To to the Smyrnaeans, and 
this to himself. See Pearson in loc. 

2 Footmen. ^ yi^ Voss, in loc. In the 
Eternal work. * Ex Vet. Interp. Vid. 
Voss. Annot 



(199) 



The EPISTLE of POLYCARP to the PHILIPPIANS. 

[The genuineness of this Epistle is controverted, but impHcitly beheved by 
Archbishop Wake, whose translation is below. There is also a transla- 
tion by Dr, Cave attached to his life of Polycarp.] 



CHAP. I. 

Commends the Philippians for their 
respect to those zoho suffered for the 
Gospel; and for their own faith. 

POLYCARP, and the presby- 
ters that are with him, to 
the church of God which ' is at 
Philippi; mercy unto you and 
peace, from God Almighty ; and 
the Lord Jesus Christ, our Sav- 
iour, be multiplied. 

2 I rejoiced greatly with you 
in our Lord Jesus Christ, that 
ye received the images of a true 
love, and accompanied, as it be- 
hooved you, those who were in 
bonds, becoming saints; which 
are the crowns of such as are 
truly chosen by God and our 
Lord: 

3 As also that the ^ root of the 
faith which was preached from 
ancient times, remains firm in 
you to this day; and brings 
forth fruit to our Lord Jesus 
Christ, who suffered himself to 
be brought even to the death for 
our sins. 

4 ^ Whom God hath raised up, 
having loosed the pains of death. 
*Whom having not seen, ye 
love; in whom though now ye 
see him not, yet believing ye re- 
joice with joy unspeakable and 
full of glory. 

5 Into which many desire to 
enter ; ^ knowing that by grace 
ye are saved ; not by works, but 
by the will of God through Jesus 
Christ. 

^Sojourneth. 'Firm rootremains 
in you. ^ Acts ii. 24. 
«Eph. ii. 8 



6 * Wherefore girding up the 
loins of your minds ; ^ serve the 
Lord with fear and in truth: 
laying aside all empty and vain 
speech, and the error of many ; 
* believing in him that raised up 
our Lord Jesus Christ from the 
dead, and hath given him glory 
and a throne at his right-hand. 

7 To whom all things are 
made subject, *both that are in 
heaven, and that are in earth; 
whom every living creature 
shall worship; who shall come 
to be the judge of the quick and 
dead: whose blood God shall 
require of them that believe not 
in him. 

8 But he that raised up * Christ 
from the dead, shall also raise up 
us in like manner, if we do his 
will, and walk ' according to his 
commandments ; and love those 
things which he loved : 

9 Abstaining from all ® un- 
righteousness ; ^ inordinate affec- 
tion, and love of money; from 
evil-speaking ; false witness ; not 
rendering evil for evil, or railing 
for railing, or striking for strik- 
ing, or cursing for cursing. 

10 But remembering what the 
Lord has "taught us saying. 
Judge not, and ye shall not be 
judged; forgive and ye shall be 
forgiven ; be ye merciful, and ye 
shall obtain mercy; for with 
the same measure that ye mete 

^ I Pet. i. 13. '^Psalms ii. 11. ^i 
Pet i. 21. *Phil. ii. 10. ^ gj-eath. 
•^ Him. ^ In. ^Injustice. ®Eph. iv. 
19, Coloss. iii. 5. I Pet. iii. 9. ^^Sai^j 
* I Pet. i. 8. to us, teaching, Luke vi. 37, Matt, 
vii. I. 
(200) 



Exhorts to 



PHILIPPIANS. 



social and other 



withal, it shall be measured to 
you again. 

1 1 And again, that ' blessed are 
the poor, and they that are per- 
secuted for righteousness sake; 
for theirs is the kingdom of God. 

CHAP. II. 

2 Exhorts to Faith, Hope, and Charity. 
5 Against coveiousness, and as to the 
duties of husbands, wives, widows, 
9 deacons, young men, virgins, and 
presbyters. 

THESE things, my brethren, 
X took not the liberty of 
myself to write unto you con- 
cerning righteousness, but you 
yourselves before encouraged me 
to it. 

2 For neither can I, nor any 
other such as I am, come up to 
the wisdom of the blessed and 
renowned Paul : who being him- 
self in person with those who 
then lived, did with all exact- 
ness and soundness teach the 
word "" of truth ; and being gone 
from you wrote an ^epistle to 
you. 

3 Into which if you look, you 
will be able to edify yourselves 
in the faith that has been de- 
livered unto you ; which is the 
mother of us all ; being followed 
with hope, and led on by a 
general love, both towards God 
and towards Christ, and towards 
our neighbor. 

4 For if any man * has these 
things he has fulfilled the law of 
righteousness : for he that has 
charity is far from all sin. 

5 But the love of money is the 
^ root of all evil. Knowing there- 

^ Matt. V. 3, lo. Luke vi. 20. ^ -j^^pi 
oATjdeiag, concerning Truth. ^ Epistles. 
Vid. Annot. Coteler. in loc. * Be 
within. ^ Beginning of all troubles, or 
difficulties, ;ta^e^wv. i Tim. vi, 7, 



fore that as we brought nothing 
into this world, so neither may 
we carry anything out ; let us 
' arm ourselves with the armour 
of righteousness. 

6 And teach ourselves first to 
walk according to the command- 
ments of the Lord ; and then 
your wives to walk likewi.se, ^ ac- 
cording to the faith that is given 
to them ; in ' charity, and in 
purity ; loving their own hus- 
bands with all * sincerity, and all 
others alike with all temperance ; 
and to bring up their children in 
the instruction " and fear of the 
Lord. 

7 The widows likewise teach 
that they be sober as to what 
concerns the faith of the Lord : 
praying always for all men ; be- 
ing far from all detraction, evil 
speaking, false witness ; from 
covetousness, and from all evil. 

8 Knowing that they are the 
altars of God, '^who sees all 
blemishes, and from whom noth- 
ing is hid ; who searches out the 
very reasonings, and thoughts, 
and secrets of our hearts. 

9 Tf Knowing therefore that 
God is not mocked, we ought to 
walk worthy both of his com- 
mand and of his glory. 

10 Also the deacons must be 
blameless before 'him, as the 
ministers of God in Christ, and 
not of men. Not false accusers ; 
not double tongued; not lovers 
of money ; but " moderate in all 
things; compassionate, careful; 
walking according to the truth 
of the Lord, who was the servant 
of all 

1 1 Whom if we please in this 
^ Be armed, ^in. ^Love. * Truth. 

5 Of the. « And that he. ' His right- 
eousness. 8 Continent. 



(201) 



Christian duHis. 



PHILIPPIANS. 



On faith. 



present world, we shall also be 
made partakers of that which is 
to come, according as he has 
promised to us, that he will raise 
us from the dead ; and that if we 
shall walk worthy of him, we 
shall also reign together with 
him, if we believe. 

1 2 In like manner the younger 
men must be unblamable in all 
things ; above all, taking care of 
their purity, and to restrain 
themselves from all evil. For it 
is good to be cut off from the 
lusts that are in the world ; be- 
cause every such ^ lust warreth 
against the spirit : ' and neither 
fornicators, nor effeminate, nor 
abusers of themselves with man- 
kind, shall inherit the kingdom 
of God; nor they who do such 
things as are foolish and un- 
reasonable. 

13 Wherefore ye must needs 
abstain from all these things; 
being subject to the ' priests and 
deacons, as unto God and Christ. 

14 The virgins admonish to 
walk in a spotless and pure con- 
science. 

15 And let the * elders be com- 
passionate and merciful towards 
all; 'turning them from their 
errors; seeking out those that 
are weak ; not forgetting the 
widows, the fatherless, and the 
poor ; but always " providing 
what is good both in the sight of 
God and man. 

16 Abstaining from all wrath, 
respect of persons, and unright- 
eous judgment: and especially 
being free from all covetousness. 

17 Not ^easy to believe any 



* I Pet. ii. II. ' I Cor. vi. 9, 10 
•Elders. * Presbyters. • Ezek. xxxiv 
4. * Rom. xii. 17. ' Swiftly believing 



thing against any ; not severe in 
judgment; knowing that we are 
all debtors in point of sin. 

1 8 If therefore we pray to the 
Lord that he would forgive us, 
we ought also to forgive others ; 
for we are all in the sight of our 
Lord and God ; ^ and ^ must all 
stand before the judgment seat 
of ChrivSt; and shall every one 
give an account ^ of himself. 

19 Let us therefore serve him 
in fear, and with all reverence as 
both himself hath commanded ; 
and as the Apostles who have 
preached the Gospel unto us, and 
the prophets who have foretold 
the coming of our Lord, have 
taught us : 

20 Being zealous of what is 
good ; abstaining from all of- 
fence, and from false brethren ; 
and from those who bear the 
name of Christ in hypocrisy ; 
who deceive vain men. 

CHAP. IIL 

I As to faith in our Saviour Christ; 
his nature and sufferings, the resur- 
rection and judgment. 3 Exhorts 
to prayer 5 and steadfastness in the 
faith, from the examples of Christ, 
7 and Apostles and saints, and ex- 
horts to carefulness in all well- 
doing. 

FOR ' whosoever does not con- 
fess that * Jesus Christ is 
come in the flesh, he is Anti- 
christ : and whoever does not 
confess " his suffering upon the 
cross, is from the devil. 

2 And whosoever perverts the 
oracles of the Lord to his own 
lusts ; and says that there shall 
neither be any resurrection, nor 

^ Matt. xii. 14, Rom. xiv. 10, 2 Cor. 
V. 10. * For. » I John, iv. 3. * The 
martyrdom of the cross. 



(202) 



On well-doing. 



PHILIPPIANS. 



Exhorts against 



judgment, he is the first-born of 
Satan. 

3 Wherefore leaving the van- 
ity of many, and their false doc- 
trines : let us return to the word 
that was delivered to us from the 
beginning; 'Watching unto pray- 
er ; and persevering in fasting : 

4 With supplication beseech- 
ing the all-seeing God "^ not to 
lead us into temptation ; as the 
Lord hath said, 'The spirit is 
truly willing, 'but the flesh is 
weak. 

5 Let us therefore without 
ceasing hold steadfastly to him 
who is our hope, and the earnest 
of our righteousness, even Jesus 
Christ ; " Who his own self bare 
our sins in his own body on the 
tree : who did no sin, neither was 
guile found in his mouth. But 
suffered all for us that we might 
live ' through him. 

6 Let us therefore imitate his 
patience ; and if we suffer for his 
name, let us glorify him ; for this 
example he has given us by him- 
self, and so have we believed. 

7 Wherefore I exhort all of 
you that ye obey the word of 
righteousness, and exercise all 
patience ; which ye have seen set 
forth before your eyes, not only 
in the blessed Ignatius, and Zozi- 
mus, and Rufus; but in others 
among yourselves ; and in Paul 
himself, and the rest of the 
Apostles : 

8 Being " confident of this, 
that all these have not run in 
vain ; but in faith and righteous- 
ness, and are gone to the place 
that was due to them from the 



' I Pet iv. 7. * Matt. vi. 13. 
XXVI. 41. *i Pet. ii. 22, 24. 
Pet. u. 24, &c. ^ Persuaded. 



^MaU. 
»In. I 



Lord ; with whom also they 
suffered. 

9 For they loved not this pres- 
ent world; but him w^ho died, 
and was raised again by God 
for us. 

10 Stand therefore in these 
things, and follow the example 
of the Lord ; being firm and im- 
mutable in the faith, lovers of 
the brotherhood, lovers of one 
another : ' companions together 
in the truth, '^ being kind and 
gentle towards each other, despis- 
ing none. 

1 1 When it is in your power 
to do good defer it not, for char- 
ity delivereth from death. 

12 Be all of you subject one 
to another, ^ having your conver- 
sation " honest among the Gen- 
tiles ; that by your good works, 
both ye yourselves may receive 
praise, and the Lord may not 
'be blasphemed through you. 
But woe be to him by whom the 
name of the Lord is blasphemed. 

13 Therefore teach all men 
sobriety; in which do ye also 
exercise yourselves. 

CHAP. IV. 

ValenSy a presbyter, having fallen into 
the sin of covetousness, he exhorts 
them against it. 

I AM greatly afflicted for Va- 
lens, who was once a presby- 
ter among you ; that he should 
so little understand the place that 
was given to him in the church. 
Wherefore I admonish you that 
ye abstain from ^covetousness; 

' Associated in truth. ^ Yielding to 
each other in the mildness of the Lord. 
Tobit, xii. 9. ^ i Pet. ii. 12. *Unre- 
provable. ^ Rom. ii, 24, Titus, ii. 5. 
* Concupiscence : or, immoderate and 
filthy lusts. See Dr. Hammond on 
Rom. i. 29. i. 
(203) 



he sin of 



PHILIPPIANS. 



covetousness. 



and that ye be chaste, and true 
of speech. 

2 ' Keep yourselves from all 
evil. For he that in these things 
cannot govern himself, how shall 
he be able to prescribe them to 
another ? 

3 If a man does not keep him- 
self from ^ covetousness, he shall 
be polluted with idolatry and be 
judged as if he were a Gentile. 

4 But who of you are ignorant 
of the judgment of God? ^ Do 
we not know that the saints shall 
judge the world, as Paul teaches ? 

5 But I have neither perceived 
nor heard any thing of this kind 
in you, among whom the blessed 

* Paul labored ; and who are 
named in the beginning of his 
Epistle. 

6 For he glories of you in all 
the churches who then only 
knew God ; for we did not then 
know him. Wherefore, my breth- 
ren, I am exceedingly sorry both 
for him, and for his wife; to 
whom God grant a true repent- 
ance. 

7 And be ye also moderate 
upon this occasion ; and look 
not upon such as enemies, but 
call them back as suffering, and 
erring members, that ye may 
save your whole body : for by so 
doing, ye, shall edify your own 
selves. 

8 For I trust that ye are well 
exercised in the Holy Scriptures, 
and that nothing is hid from 
you : but at present it is not 
granted unto me to practice 
that w^hich is ^ written, Be angry 

' I Thess. V. 22. Eph. v. 5. Coloss- 
ii. 5. *As before, Dr. Hammond on 
iCor. V. 10. i. ^ I Cor. vi. 2. *Phil, i. 

* Said in these Scriptures. Psalms iv. 
4. Eph. iv. 26. 



and again, Let not 
down upon your 



(204) 



and sin not ; 
the sun go 
wrath. 

9 Blessed be he that believeth 
and remembereth these things ; 
which also I trust you do. 

10 Now the God and Father 
of our Lord Jesus Christ; and 
he himself who is our everlast- 
ing high-priest, the Son of God, 
even Jesus Christ, build you up 
in faith and in truth, and in all 
meekness and lenity ; in patience 
and long suffering, in forbear- 
ance and chastity: 

1 1 And grant unto you a lot 
and portion among his saints; 
and us with you, and to all that 
are under the heavens, who shall 
believe in our Lord Jesus Christ, 
and in his Father ' who raised 
him from the dead. 

12 Pray for all the saints: 
pray also for kings, and ^ all that 
are in authority ; and for those 
who persecute 3'ou, and hate 
you, and for the enemies of the 
cross; that 3^our fruit may be 
manifest in all ; and that ye may 
be perfect in ' Christ. 

13 * Ye wrote to me, both ye, 
and also Ignatius, that if any 
one went from hence into Syria, 
he should bring your letters with 
him ; which also I will take care 
of, as soon as I shall have a con- 
venient opportunity; either by 
myself, or him whom I shall 
send upon your account. 

14 The epistles of Ignatius 
which he wrote 'unto us, to- 
gether with what others of his 
have come to our hands, we have 
sent to you, according to your 

' Gal. i. I, I Tim. ii. i, 2. ^ Powers 
and princes. ^Him. *See Annot. 
Usser. m loc. ^ i. e. To himself and 
to the church of Smyrna. 1 



THE SHEPHERD OF HERMAS. 



order; which are subjoined to 
this epistle: 

15 By which we may be great- 
ly profited ; for they treat of faith 
and patience, and of all things 
that pertain to edification in ' the 
Lord Jesus. 

16 T[ What you know certain- 
ly of Ignatius, and those that 
are with him signify to us. 

17 ^ These things have I 
written unto you by Crescens, 



whom by this present epistle 1 
have recommended to you, and 
do now again commend. 

18 For he has had his con- 
versation without blame among 
us ; and I suppose also with you. 

19 Ye will also have regard 
unto his sister when she shall 
con;e unto you. 

20 Be ye safe in the Lord Je- 
sus Christ; 'and in favor with 
all yours. Amen. 



The First Book of HERMAS, which is called his VISIONS. 

[This book is thus entitled, because it was composed by Hermas, brother to 
Pius, bishop of Rome ; and because the Angel, who bears the principal 
part in it, is represented in the form and habit of a shepherd. Irenseus 
quotes it under the very name of Scripture. Origen thought it a most 
useful writing, and that it was divinely inspired ; Eusebius says, that, 
though it was not esteemed canonical, it was read publicly in the churches, 
which is corroborated by Jerome ; and Athanasius cites it, calls it a most 
useful work, and observes, that though it was not strictly canonical, the 
Fathers appointed it to be read for direction and confirmation in faith and 
piety. Jerome, notwithstanding this, and that he applauded it in his cata- 
logue of writers, in his comments upon it afterwards, terms it apocryphal 
and foolish. TertuUian praised it when a Catholic, and abused it when a 
Montanist. Although Gelasius ranks it among the apocryphal books, it 
is found attached to some of the most ancient MSS. of the New Testament ; 
and Archbishop Wake, believing it the genuine work of an apostolic 
Father, preserves it to the English reader by the following translation, in 
which he has rendered the books not only more exact, but in greater 
purity than they had before appeared. The archbishop procured Dr. Grabe 
to entirely collate the old Latin version with an ancient MS. in the Lambeth 
library ; and the learned prelate himself still further improved the whole 
from a multitude of fragments of the original Greek never before used for 
that purpose.] 



VISION I. 

I Against filthy and proud thoughts ; 
20 also the neglect of Hermas in 
chastising his children. 

HE who had bred me up sold 
a certain young maid at 
Rome ; whom when I saw many 
years after, I remembered her, 
and began to love her as a sister. 
It happened some time after- 
wards, that I saw her washing 
iQur Lord. 



(205) 



in the river Tyber ; and I reach- 
ed out my hand unto her, and 
brought her out of the river. 

2 And when I saw her I thought 
with myself, saying, How happy 
should I be if I had such a wife, 
both for beauty and manners. 
This I thought with myself ; nor 
did I think any thing more. But 
not long after, as I was walking, 
and musing on these thoughts, I 
^ His grace be with you all. Amen. 



Against filthy 



I. HERMAS. 



and proud thoughts 



began to honor this creature of 
God, thinking with myself ; how 
noble and beautiful she was. 

3 And when I had walked a 
little, I fell asleep. And the 
spirit caught me away, and car- 
ried me through a certain place 
towards the right-hand, through 
which no man could pass. It 
was a place among rocks, very 
steep and unpassable for water. 

4 When I was past this place, 
I came into a plain; and there 
falling down upon my knees, I 
began to pray unto the Lord, 
and to confess my sins. 

5 And as I was praying, the 
heaven was opened, and I saw 
the woman which I had coveted, 
saluting me from heaven, and 
saying, Hermas, hail! and I 
looking upon her, answered. 
Lady, what dost thou do here ? 
She answered me, ^ I am taken 
up hither to accuse thee of vSin 
before the Lord. 

6 Lady, said I, wilt thou '^con- 
vince me? No, said she: but 
hear the words which I am about 
to speak unto thee. God who 
dwelleth in heaven, and hath 
made all things out of nothing, 
and hath multiplied them for 
his holy church's sake, is angry 
with thee, because/ thou hast 
sinned against me. 

7 And I answering said unto 
her, Lady, if I have sinned 
against thee, tell me where, or 
in what place, or when did I ever 
speak an unseemly or dishonest 
word unto thee ? 

8 Have I not always esteemed 

^ In MS. Lambeth. Prsecepta sum a 
Domino ut peccata tua arguam : I am 
commanded of the Lord to reprove 
thee for thy sins. ^ In MS. Wilt thou 
accuse me ? 



thee as a lady? Have I not al- 
ways reverenced thee as a sister? 
Why then dost thou imagine 
these wicked things against me? 

9 1 hen she, smiling upon me, 
said: the desire of naughtiness 
has risen up in thy heart. Does 
it not seem to thee to be an ill 
thing for a righteous man to have 
an evil desire rise up in his heart ? 

10 It is indeed a sin, and that 
a very great one, to such a one ; 
for a righteous man thinketh 
that which is righteous. And 
whilst he does so, and walketh 
uprightly, he shall have the Lord 
in heaven favorable unto him in 
all his business. 

1 1 But as for those who think 
wickedly in their hearts, they 
take to themselves death and 
captivity ; and especially those 
who love this present world, and 
glory in their riches, and regard 
not the good things that are to 
come ; their souls wander up and 
down, and know not where to fix. 

1 2 Now this is the case of such 
as are double-minded, who trust 
not in the Lord, and despise and 
neglect their own life. 

13 But do thou pray unto the 
Lord, and he will heal thy sins, 
and the sins of thy whole house, 
and of all his saints. 

14 Tf As soon as she had 
spoken these words the heavens 
were shut, and I remained utter- 
ly swallowed up with sadness 
and fear; and said within myself, 
if this be laid against me for sin, 
how can I be saved. 

1 5 Or how shall I ever be able 
to entreat the Lord for my many 
and great sins? With what 
words shall I beseech him to be 
merciful unto me ? 



(206) 



On 7iegleciing to 



VISION I. 



chastise his children^ 



1 6 As I was thinking over 
these things, and meditating in 
myself upon them, behold a chair 
was set over against me of the 
whitest wool, as bright as snow. 

17 And there came an old 
woman in a bright garment, hav- 
ing a book in her hand, and sate 
alone, and saluted me, saying, 
' Hermas, hail ! and I being full 
of sorrow, and weeping, answer- 
ed. Hail, Lady ! 

18 And she said unto me, Why 
art thou sad, Hermas, who wert 
wont to be patient, and modest, 
and always cheerful ? I answer- 
ed, and said to her. Lady, a re- 
proach has been laid to my charge 
by an excellent woman, who 
tells me, that I have sinned 
against her. 

1 9 She replied, Far be any such 
thing from the servant of God. 
But it may be the desire of her 
has risen up in thy heart. For 
indeed such a thought maketh 
the servants of God guilty of sin. 

20 Nor ought such a detest- 
able thought to be in the servant 
of God; nor should he who is 
approved by the Spirit desire that 
which is evil ; but especially 
Hermas, who contains himself 
from all wicked lusts, and is full 
of all simplicity, and of great 
innocence. 

2 1 T[ Nevertheless the Lord is 
not so much angry with thee for 
thine own sake, as upon the ac- 
count of thy house, which has 
committed wickedness against 
the Lord, and against their par- 
ents. 

22 And for that out of thy 
fondness towards thy sons, thou 
hast not admonished thy house, 

* Vid. Hicron. in Hoseam, vii. 9. 



but hast permitted them to live 
wickedly ; for this cause the Lord 
is angry with thee : but he will 
heal all the evils that are done 
in thy house. For through their 
sins and iniquities, thou art 
wholly consumed in secular af- 
fairs. 

23 But now the mercy of God 
hath taken compassion upon 
thee, and upon thine house, and 
hath ^ greatly comforted thee. 
Only as for thee, do not wander, 
but be of an even mind, and 
comfort thy house. 

24 As the workman bringing 
forth his work, offers it to whom- 
soever he pleaseth ; so shalt thou 
by teaching every day what is 
just, cut off a great sin. Where- 
fore cease not to admonish thy 
sons, for the Lord knows that 
they will repent with all their 
heart, "^ and they shall be written 
in the book of life. 

25 And when she had said 
this, she added unto me; Wilt 
thou hear me read ? — I answered 
her, Lady, I will. 

26 Hear then, said she; and 
opening the book she read, glori- 
ously, greatly, and wonderfully, 
such things as I could not keep 
in my memory. For they were 
terrible words, such as no man 
could bear. 

27 Howbeit I committed her 
last words to my remembrance ; 
for they were but few, and of 
great use to us. 

28 Behold the mighty Lord, 
who by his invisible power, and 
with his excellent wisdom made 
the world, and by his glorious 

' In Glory. — Edit. Oxon. Hath pre- 
served thee in honor. ^ So. MS. Lamb. 
Et describentur in libra vitae. 



(207) 



Of his neglect to 



I. HER MAS. correct his talkative wife. 



counsel beautified his creature, 
and with the word of his strength 
fixed the heaven, and founded 
the earth upon the waters; and 
by his powerful virtue establish- 
ed his Holy Church, which he 
hath blessed. 

29 Behold, he will remove the 
heavens, and the mountains, the 
hills, and the seas ; and all things 
shall be made plain for his elect ; 
that he may render unto them the 
promise which he has promised, 
with much honor and joy; if so 
be that they shall keep the com- 
mandments of God, which they 
have received with great faith. 

30 \ And when she had made 
an end of reading, she rose out of 
the chair ; and behold four young 
men came, and carried the chair 
to the east. 

31 And she called me unto 
her, and touched my breast, and 
said unto me. Did my reading 
please thee ? I answered, Lady, 
these last things please me ; but 
what went before was severe and 
hard. 

32 She said unto me, these 
last things are for ' the righteous, 
but the foregoing for the revolt- 
ers and heathen. 

33 And as she was talking 
with me, two men appeared, and 
took her upon their shoulders, 
and went to the east where the 
chair was. 

34 And she went cheerfully 
away ; and as she was going, 
said unto me, Hermas, be of 
good cheer. 

VISION 11. 

Again, of his neglect ifi correcting 
his talkative wife ; and of his lewd 
sons? 

' Edit. Oxon. '•' Et ejus modo. 



AS I was on the way to Cuma, 
about the same time that I 
went the year before, I began to 
call to mind the vision I formerly 
had. And again the spirit car- 
ried me away, and brought me 
into the same place, in which I 
had been the year before. 

2 And when I was come into 
the place, I fell down upon my 
knees, and began to pray unto 
the Lord, and to glorify his name, 
that he had esteemed me worthy, 
and had manifested unto me my 
former sins. 

3 And when I arose from pray- 
er, behold I saw over against 
me the old woman whom I had 
seen the last year, walking and 
reading in a certain book. 

4 And she said unto me. Canst 
thou tell these things to the elect 
of God? I answered and said 
unto her, Lady, I cannot retain 
so many things in my memory, 
but give me the book, and I will 
write them down. 

5 Take it, says she, and see 
that thou restore it again to me. 

6 As soon as I had received 
it, I went aside into a certain 
place of the field, and transcribed 
every letter, for I found no 
syllables. 

7 ^And as soon as I had finish- 
ed what was written in the book, 
the book was suddenly caught 
out of my hand, but by whom I 
saw not. 

8 *f After fifteen days, when 
I had fasted, and entreated the 
Lord with all earnestness, the 
knowledge of the writing was 
revealed unto me. Now the 
writing was this : — 

9 Thy seed, O Hermas ! hath 

' Clem. Alex. Strom, vi. 
(208) 



Of his neglect to 



VISION 11. 



correct his children. 



sinned against the Lord, and 
have betra3^ed their parents, 
through their great wickedness. 
And they have been called the 
betrayers of their parents, and 
have gone on in their treachery. 

10 And now have they added 
lewdness to their other sins, and 
the pollution of their naughti- 
ness : thus have they filled up 
the measure of their iniquities. 
But do thou ' upbraid thy sons 
with all these words ; and thy 
wife, which shall be thy sister; 
and let her learn to refrain her 
tongue, with which she calumni- 
ates. 

11 And when she shall hear 
these things, she will refrain her- 
self, and shall obtain mercy. 

12 And Hhey also shall be in- 
structed, when thou shalt have 
reproached them with these 
words, which the Lord has com- 
manded to be revealed unto thee. 

13 Then shall their sins be 
forgiven, which they have here- 
tofore committed, and the sins of 
all the saints who have sinned 
even unto this day ; if they shall 
repent with all their hearts, and 
remove all doubts out of their 
hearts. 

14 For the Lord hath sworn 
by his glory concerning his 
'elect, having determined this 
very time that if any one shall 
"even now sin, he shall not be 
saved. 

15 For the repentance of the 
righteous has its end ; the days of 
repentance are fulfilled to all the 
saints ; but to the heathen, there 

* Impropera. ^ So one MS, in Cot- 
eler. Edit. Oxon. And she, &c. ^ Day. 
Praefinita ista die etiam nunc si pecca- 
verit aliquis Lat. * Shall sin after it. 



is repentance even unto the last 
day. 

16 Thou shalt therefore say to 
those who are over the church ; 
that they order their ways in 
righteousness; that they may 
fully receive the promise with 
much glory. 

1 7 Stand fast therefore ye that 
work righteousness and continue 
to do it, that your departure may 
be with the holy angels. 

18 Happy are ye, as many as 
shall endure the great trial that 
is at hand, and whosoever shall 
not deny his life. 

1 9 For the Lord hath sworn by 
his Son, that whoso denieth his 
Son and him, being afraid of his 
life, he will also deny him in the 
^ world that is to come. 

20 But those who shall never 
deny him, he will of his exceed- 
ing great mercy be favorable 
unto them. 

21^ But thou, O Hermas ! re- 
member not the ^ evils which thy 
sons have done, neither neglect 
thy sister, but take care that they 
amend of their former sins. 

22 For they will be instructed 
by this doctrine, if thou shalt 
not be mindful of what they have 
done wickedly. 

23 For the remembrance of 
evils worketh death ; but the for- 
getting of them, life eternal. 

24 But thou, O Hermas ! hast 
undergone a great many worldly 
troubles for the offences of thy 
house, because thou hast neglect- 
ed them, as things that did not 
belong unto thee ; and thou art 
wholly taken up with thy great 
business. 



* Days that are coming. * Injuries. 



(209) 



Of the church 



I. HERMAS. 



triumphant 



25 Nevertheless, for this cause 
shalt thou be saved, that thou hast 
not departed from the living God, 
and thy simplicity and singular 
continency shall preserve thee, 
if thou shalt continue in them. 

26 Yea, they shall save all 
such as do such things, and walk 
in innocence and simplicity. 

27 They who are of this kind 
shall prevail against all impiety, 
and continue until life eternal. 

28 Happy are all they that do 
righteousness, they shall not be 
consumed for ever. 

29 But thou wilt say, Behold 
there is a great trial coming. If 
it seems good to thee, deny him 
again. 

30 The Lord is nigh to them 
that turn to him, as it is written 
in the books of ^ Heldam and 
Modal, who prophesied to the 
people of Israel in the wilderness. 

31 *[f Moreover, brethren, it 
was revealed to me, as I was sleep- 
ing, by a very goodly young man, 
saying unto me. What thinkest 
thou of that old woman from 
whom thou receivedst the book ; 
who is she ? I answered, a Sybil. 

32 Thou art mistaken, said he, 
she is not. I replied, Who is she 
then, sir? He answered me, It 
is the church of God. 

33 And I said unto him, Why 
then does she appear old ? She is 
therefore, said he, an old woman, 
because she was Hhe first of all 
the creation, and the world was 
made for her. 

34 After this I saw a vision at 
home in my own house, and the 
old woman, whom I had seen be- 

* Eldad and Medad. Numb. xi. 26, 
27. * See Dr. Grabe's Annot. to Bish- 
op Bull's Def. Fid. Nic. p. 24. Fol. 
de S. Herma. 



fore, came to me and asked me, 
whether I had yet delivered ' her 
book to the elders of the church ? 
And I answered, that I had not 
yet. 

35 She replied, Thou hast well 
done, for I have certain words 
more to tell thee. But when I 
shall have finished all the words, 
they shall be clearly u^iderstood 
by the elect. 

36 ^ And thou shalt write two 
books, and send one to Clement 
and one to Grapte. For Clement 
shall send it to the foreign cities, 
because it is permitted to him so 
to do : but Grapte shall admon- 
ish the widows and orphans. 

37 But thou shalt read in this 
city with the elders of the church. 

VISION III. 

Of the building of the church triumph- 
ant^ and of the several sorts of rep- 
robate. 

THE vision which I saw, breth- 
ren, was this. 

2 When I had often fasted and 
prayed unto the Lord, that he 
would manifest unto me the reve- 
lation, which he had promised 
by the old woman to shew unto 
me ; the same night she appear- 
ed unto me, and said unto me, 

3 Because thou dost thus«afflict 
thyself, and art so desirous to 
know all things, come into the 
field, where thou wilt, and about 
the sixth hour, I will appear unto 
thee, and shew thee what thou 
must see. 

4 I asked her, saying: Lady, 
into what part of the field ? She 
answered, wherever thou wilt, 
only choose a good and a private 
place. And before I began to 

^ Suum is added in the Lambeth MS. 
' Origen. Philocal, cap. i. 



(210) 




The Sybil, 



and of several 



VISION III. 



sorts of reprobates. 



speak and tell her the place, she 
said unto me : I will come where 
thou wilt. 

5 I was therefore, brethren, in 
the field and I observed the 
hours and came into the place 
where I had appointed her to 
come. 

6 And I beheld a bench plac- 
ed; it was a linen pillow, and 
over it spread a covering of fine 
linen. 

7 When I saw these things 
ordered in this manner, and that 
there was nobody in the place, I 
began to be astonished, and my 
hair stood on end, and a kind of 
horror seized me; for I was 
alone. 

8 But being come to myself, and 
calling to mind the glory of God, 
and taking courage, I fell down 
upon my knees and began again 
to confess my sins as before. 

9 And whilst I was doing this, 
the old woman came thither with 
the six young men whom I had 
seen before, and stood behind 
me as I was praying and heard 
me praying and confessing my 
sins unto the Lord. 

10 And touching me, she said : 
Leave off to pray now only for 
thy sins; pray also for right- 
eousness, that thou mayest re- 
ceive a part of her in thy house. 

1 1 And she lifted me up from 
the place, and took me by the 
hand, and brought me to the 
seat, and said to the young men : 
go, and build. 

12 As soon as they were de- 
parted, and we were alone, she 
said unto me: sit here. I an- 
swered her : Lady, let those who 
are elder sit first. She replied, 
Sit down as I bid you. I 

Can) 



13 And when I would have 
sat on the right side, she suffer- 
ed me not, but made a sign to me 
with her hand, that I should sit 
on the left. 

14 As I was therefore musing, 
and full of sorrow, that she would 
not suffer me to sit on the right 
side, she said unto me, Hermas, 
why art thou sad ? 

15 The place which is on the 
right-hand is theirs who have al- 
ready attained unto God, and 
have suffered for his name-sake. 
But there is yet a great deal 
remaining unto thee, before thou 
canst sit with them. 

16 But continue as thou doest, 
in thy sincerity, and thou shalt 
sit with them; as all others 
shall, that do their works, and 
shall bear what they have borne. 

17 T I said to her: Lady, I 
would know what it is that they 
have suffered? Hear then, said 
she: wild beasts, scourgings, 
imprisonments, and crosses for 
his name-sake. 

18 For this cause the right- 
hand of holiness belongs to 
them, and to all others as many 
as shall suffer for the name of 
God ; but the left belongs to the 
rest. 

19 Howbeit the gifts and the 
promises belong to both, to them 
on the right, and to those on the 
left hand; only that sitting on 
the right hand they have some 
glory above the others. 

20 But thou art desirous to sit 
on the right hand with them, 
and yet thy Mefects are many. 
But thou shalt be purged from 
thy defects, as also all who 
doubt not, shall be cleansed from 

* Lat. Exiguitates. 



Of the church 



I. HERMAS. 



triumphant 



all the sins which they have 
committed unto this day. 

21 And when she had said 
this, she would have departed. 

22 Wherefore, falling down 
before her feet, I began to en- 
treat her, for the Lord's sake, 
that she would shew me the 
vision which she had promised. 

23 Then she again took me by 
the hand, and lifted me up, and 
made me sit upon the seat on the 
left side; and holding up a 
certain bright wand, said unto 
me, Seest thou that great thing? 
I replied. Lady, I see nothing. 

24 She answered, Dost thou 
not see over against thee a great 
tower, which is built upon the 
water with bright square stones ? 

25 For the tower was built 
upon a square by those six young 
men that came with her. 

26 But many thousands of other 
men brought stones; some drew 
them out of the deep, others car- 
ried them from the ground, and 
gave them to the six young 
men. And they took them and 
built. 

27 As for those stones which 
were drawn out of the deep, they 
put them all into the building; 
for they were polished, and their 
squares exactly answered one 
another, and so one was joined 
in such wise to the other, that 
there was no space to be seen 
where they joined; insomuch 
that the whole tower appeared 
to be built as it were of one 
stone. 

28 But as for the other stones 
that were taken off from the 
ground, some of them they re- 
jected, others they fitted into the 
building. 



29 As for those which were 
rejected, some they cut out, and 
cast them at a distance from the 
tower ; but many others of them 
lay round about the tower, which 
they made no use of in the 
building. 

30 For some of these were 
rough, others had clefts in them, 
others were white and round, not 
proper for the building of the 
tower. 

31 But I saw the other stones 
cast afar off from the tower, and 
falling into the high-way, and 
yet not continuing in the way, 
but were rolled from the way 
into a desert place. 

32 Others I saw falling into 
the fire and burning; others fell 
near the water, yet could not 
roll themselves into it, though 
very desirous to fall into the 
water. 

33 T[ And when she had shew- 
ed me these things she would 
have departed ; but I said to 
her, Lady, what doth it profit 
me to see these things, and not 
understand what they mean ? 

34 She answered and said un- 
to me. You are very cunning, 
in that you are desirous to know 
those things which ' relate to 
the tower. Yea, said I, lady, 
that I may declare them unto 
the brethren, and they may re- 
joice, and hearing these things 
may glorify God with great 
glory. 

35 Then she said, Many in- 
deed shall hear them, and when 
they shall have heard them, 
some shall rejoice, and others 
weep. And yet even these, if they 
shall repent, shall rejoice too. 

^Are about. 
2) 



and of several 



VISION III. 



sorts of reprobates. 



36 Hear therefore what I shall 
say concerning the parable of the 
tower, and after this be no longer 
importunate with me about the 
revelation. 

37 For these revelations have 
an end, seeing they are fulfilled. 
But thou dost not leave off to 
desire revelations, for thou art 
very ^ urgent. 

38 As for the tower which thou 
seest built, it is I myself, namely, 
the church, which have appeared 
to thee both now, and heretofore. 
Wherefore ask what thou wilt 
concerning the tower, and I will 
reveal it unto thee, that thou 
may est rejoice with the saints. 

39 I said unto her : Lady, be- 
cause thou hast thought me once 
worthy to receive from thee the 
revelation of all these things, de- 
clare them unto me. 

40 She answered me. Whatso- 
ever is fit to be revealed unto thee 
shall be revealed : ^ onl}^ let thy 
heart be with the Lord, and doubt 
not, whatsoever thou shalt see. 

41 I asked her, Lady, why is 
the tower built upon the ^ water ? 
She replied, I said before to thee 
that thou wert very wise to in- 
quire diligently concerning the 
building, therefore thou shalt 
find the truth. 

42 Hear, therefore, why the 
tower is built upon the water : 
because your life is and shall be 
saved by water. For " it is found- 
ed by the word of the almighty 
and honorable name, and is sup- 
ported by the invisible poweV 
and virtue of God. 

43 Tf And I answering, said 
unto her, These things are very 



* Edit. Oxon. 
xii. ^ Baptism, 



3 Clem. Alex. Strom. 
* Namely, the tower. 



admirable; but, lady, who are 
those six young men that build? 

44 They are, said she, the an- 
gels of God, which were first 
appointed, and to whom the Lord 
has delivered all his creatures, to 
frame and build them up, and to 
rule over them. For by these 
the building of the tower shall 
be finished. 

45 And who are the rest who 
bring them stones? 

46 They also are the holy an- 
gels of the Lord ; but the other 
are more excellent than these. 
Wherefore when the whole build- 
ing of the tower shall be finished, 
they shall all feast together be- 
side the tower, and shall glorify 
God, because the structure of the 
tower is finished. 

47 I asked her, saying, I would 
know the condition of the stones, 
and the meaning of them, what 
it is? 

48 She answering, said unto 
me. Art thou better than all 
others, that this should be reveal- 
ed unto thee ? For others are both 
before thee, and better than thou 
art, to whom these visions should 
be made manifest. 

49 Nevertheless, that the name 
of God may be glorified, it has 
been, and shall be revealed unto 
thee, for the sake of those who 
are doubtful, and think in their 
hearts whether these things are 
so or not. 

50 Tell them that all these 
things are true, and that there is 
nothing in them that is not true ; 
but all are firm and truly estab- 
lished. 

5 1 ^If Hear now then, concern- 
ing the stones that are in the 
building. 

(213) 



Of the church 



I. HERMAS. 



triumphant^ 



52 The square and white stones 
which agree exactly in their 
joints, are the apostles, and bish- 
ops, and doctors, and ministers, 
who through the mercy of God 
have come in, and governed, and 
taught and ministered holily and 
modestly to the elect of God, both 
they that have fallen asleep, and 
which yet remain ; and have al- 
ways agreed with them, and have 
had peace within themselves, and 
have heard each other. 

53 For which cause their joints 
exactly meet together in the 
building of the tower. 

54 They which are drawn out 
of the deep and put into the 
building, and whose joints agree 
with the other stones which are 
already built, are those which 
are already fallen asleep, and 
have suffered for the sake of the 
Lord's name. 

55 And what are the other 
stones, lady, that are brought 
from the earth? I would know 
what are they. 

56 She answered, They which 
lie upon the ground and are not 
polished, are those which God 
has approved, because they have 
walked in ' the law of the Lord, 
and directed their ways in his 
commandments. 

57 They which are brought 
and put in the building of the 
tower, are the young in faith and 
the faithful. And these are ad- 
monished by the angels to do 
well, because that iniquity is not 
found in them. 

58 But who are those whom 
they rejected, and laid beside the 
tower ? 

59 They are such as have sin- 



* In aequitatem Domini. Lat. 



ned and are willing to repent ; 
for which cause they are not cast 
far from the tower, because they 
will be useful for the building, 
if they shall repent. 

60 They therefore that are yet 
to repent, if they shall repent 
shall become strong in the faith ; 
that is if they repent now, whilst 
the tower is building. For if the 
building shall be finished there 
will then be no place for them to 
be put in, but they shall be re- 
jected ; for he only has this privi- 
lege who shall now be put into 
the tower. 

61 ^ But would you know 
who they are that were cut out, 
and cast afar off from the tower ? 
' Lady, said I, I desire it. 

62 They are the children of 
iniquity, who believed only in 
hypocrisy, but departed not from 
their evil ways; for this cause 
they shall not be saved, because 
they are not of any use in the 
building by reason of their sins. 

63 Wherefore they are cut out, 
and cast afar off, because of the 
anger of the Lord, and because 
they have provoked him to anger 
against them. 

64 As for the great number of 
other stones which thou hast seen 
placed about the tower, but not 
put into the building; those 
which are rugged, are they who 
have known the truth, but have 
not continued in it, nor been 
joined to the saints, and there- 
fore are unprofitable. 

65 Those that have clefts in 
them, are they that keep up dis- 
cord in their hearts against each 
other, and live not in peace ; that 
are friendly when present with 



(214) 



Wid. Edit. Oxon. 



and of several 



VISION III. 



soTis of reprobates. 



their brethren, but as soon as 
they are departed from one an- 
other, their wickedness still con- 
tinues in their hearts : these are 
the clefts which are seen in those 
stones. 

66 Those that are maimed and 
short, are they who have believ- 
ed indeed, but still are in great 
measure full of wickedness ; for 
this cause they are maimed and 
not whole. 

67 But what are the white and 
round stones, lady, and which 
are not proper for the building 
of the tower ? 

68 She answering said unto 
me. How long wilt thou continue 
foolish and without understand- 
ing ; asking everything and dis- 
cerning nothing? 

69 They are such as have faith 
indeed, but have withal the 
riches of this present world. 
When therefore any 'troubles 
arise, for the sake of their riches 
and traffic they deny the Lord. 

70 I answering, said unto her : 
When therefore will they be 
profitable to the Lord? When 
their riches shall be cut away, 
says she, in which they take de- 
light, then they will be profitable 
unto the Lord for his building. 

71 For as a round stone, un- 
less it be cut away, and cast 
somewhat off its bulk cannot be 
made square; so they who are 
rich in this world, unless their 
riches be pared off, cannot be 
made profitable unto the Lord. 

72 Learn this from thy own 
experience : when thou wert rich, 
thou wast unprofitable ; but now 
thou art profitable, and fit for the 
life which thou hast undertaken ; 

* Tribulation arises. 



(«s) 



for thou also once wast one of 
those stones. 

73 As for the rest of the 
stones which thou sawest cast 
afar off from the tower, and 
running in the way, and tumbled 
out of the way into desert places, 
they are such as have believed 
indeed, but through their doubt- 
ing have forsaken the true 
way, thinking that they could 
find a better. But they wander 
and are miserable, going into 
desolate ways. 

74 Then for those stones,which 
fell into the fire and were burnt, 
they are those who have ' for ever 
departed from the living God; 
nor doth it ever come into their 
hearts to repent, by reason of the 
affection which they bear to 
their lusts and wickednesses 
which they commit. 

75 And what are the rest 
which fell by the water, and 
could not roll into the water? 

76 They are such as have 
heard the word, and were willing 
to be baptized in the name of the 
Lord ; but considering the great 
holiness which the truth requires, 
have withdrawn themselves, and 
walked again after their wicked 
lusts. 

77 Thus she finished the ex- 
plication of the tower. 

78 But I being still urgent, 
asked her: Is there repentance 
allowed to all those stones which 
are thus cast away, and were 
not suitable to the building of 
the tower; and shall they find 
place in this tower? 

79 They may repent, said she, 
but they cannot come into this 
tower; but they shall be placed 

^Finally, 



Of the church 



I. HERMAS. 



triumphant^ 



in a much lower rank, and this I 87 They are, replied she, the 
after that they shall have been 1 daughters of one another. The 



afflicted, and fulfilled the days 
of their sins. 

80 And for this cause they 
shall be removed, because they 
have received the word of right- 
eousness: and then they shall 
be translated from their afflic- 
tions, if they shall have a true 
sense in their hearts of what 
they have done amiss. 

81 But if they shall not have 
this sense in their hearts, they 
shall not be saved, by reason of 
the hardness of their hearts. 

82 When therefore I had done 
asking her concerning all these 
things, she said unto me. Wilt 
thou see somewhat else ? And be- 
ing desirous of seeing it, I became 
ver}^ cheerful of countenance. 

83 She therefore looking back 
upon me, and smiling a little, 
said unto me, Seest thou seven 
women about the tower? Lady, 
said I, I see them. 

84 This tower, replied she, is 
supported by them, according to 
the command of the Lord : hear 
therefore the effects of them. 

85 The first of them, which 
holds fast with her hand, is called 
Faith ; by her the elect shall be 
saved. The next, which is girt 
up, and looks manly, is named 
Abstinence ; she is the daughter 
of Faith. 

86 Whosoever therefore shall 
follow her shall be happy in all 
his life, because he shall abstain 
from all evil works, believing 
that if he shall contain himself 
from all concupiscence, he shall 
be the heir of eternal life. And 
what, lady, said I, are the other 
five? 



first of them is called Simplicity ; 
the next Innocence; the third 
Modesty ; then Discipline ; and 
the last of all is Charity. When 
therefore thou shalt have ful- 
filled the works of their mother, 
thou shalt be able to do all 
things. 

88 Lady, said I, I would know 
what particular virtue every one 
of these has. 

89 Hear then, replied she: 
they have equal virtues, and 
their virtues are knit together, 
and follow one another as they 
were born. 

90 From Faith proceeds Ab- 
stinence ; from Abstinence, Sim- 
plicity; from Simplicity, Inno- 
cence ; from Innocence, Modesty ; 
from Modesty, Discipline and 
Charity. Therefore the works 
of these are holy, and chaste, 
and right. 

91 Whosoever therefore, shall 
serve these, and hold fast to their 
works, he shall have his dwelling 
in the tower with the saints of 
God. 

92 Then I asked her concern- 
ing the times, whether the end 
were now at hand? 

93 But she cried out with a 
loud voice, saying: O foolish 
man! Dost thou not see the 
tower yet a building? When 
therefore the tower shall be 
finished, and built, it shall have 
an end ; and indeed it shall soon 
be accomplished. 

94 But do not ask me any 
more questions. What has been 
said may suffice thee, and all the 
saints, for the refreshment of 
your spirits. For these things 



Cai6) 



and of several 



VISION III. 



sorts of reprobates. 



have not been revealed to thee unfinished. For when the tower 



only, but that thou mayest make 
them manifest unto all. 

95 For therefore, O Hermas, 
after three days thou must un- 
derstand these words which I 
begin to speak unto thee, that 
thou mayest speak them in the 
ears of the saints ; that when 
they shall have heard and done 
them, they may be cleansed from 
their iniquities, and thou to- 
gether with them. 

96 Hear me therefore, O my 
sons! I have bred you up in 
much simplicity, and innocency, 
and modesty, for the love of 
God, which has dropped down 
upon you in righteousness, that 
you should be sanctified and 
justified from all sin and wicked- 
ness ; but ye will not cease from 
your evil doings. 

97 Now therefore hearken 
unto me, and have peace one 
with another, and visit one an- 
other, and receive one another, 
and do not enjoy the creatures 
of God alone. 

98 Give freely to them that 
are in need. For some by too 
free feeding contract an infirm- 
ity in their flesh, and do injury 
to their bodies ; whilst the flesh 
of others, who have not food, 
withers away, because they want 
sufficient nourishment, and their 
bodies are consumed. 

99 Wherefore this intemper- 
ance is hurtful to you, who have, 
and do not communicate to them 
that want. Prepare for the judg- 
ment that is about to come upon 
you. 

100 Ye that are the more emi- 
nent, search out them that are 
hungry, whilst the tower is yet 



shall be finished, ye shall be 
willing to do good, and shall not 
find any place in it. 

loi Beware therefore, ye that 
glory in your riches, lest per- 
haps they groan who are in want, 
and their sighing come up unto 
God, and ye be shut out with 
your goods without the gate of 
the tower. 

102 Behold I now warn you 
who are set over the church, and 
love the highest seats, be not ye 
like unto those that work mis- 
chief. 

103 And they indeed carry 
about their poison in boxes, but 
ye contain your poison and ^ in- 
fection in your hearts, and will 
not purge them, and mix your 
sense with a pure heart, that ye 
may find mercy with the Great 
King. 

104 Take heed, my children, 
that your dissensions deprive 
you not of your lives. How will 
ye instruct the elect of God, when 
ye yourselves want correction? 
Wherefore admonish one an- 
other, and be at peace among 
yourselves, that I, standing be- 
fore your father, may give an 
account for you unto the Lord. 

105 Tf And when she had made 
an end of talking with me, the 
six young men that built, came 
and carried her to the tower ; and 
four others took up the seat on 
which she sate, and they also 
went away again to the tower. 
I saw not the faces of these, for 
their backs were towards me. 

106 As she was going away, I 
asked her, that she would reveal 
to me what concerned the three 

^ Medicaments. 



(217) 



Of the church 



I. HERMAS. 



triumphant^ 



forms, in which she had appeared 
unto me. 

107 But she answering said 
unto me: concerning these things 
thou must ask some other, that 
they may be revealed unto thee. 

108 Now, brethren, in the first 
vision the last year, she appeared 
unto me exceeding old, and sit- 
ting in a chair. 

109 In another vision, she had 
indeed a youthful face, but her 
flesh and hair were old; but she 
talked with me standing, and was 
more cheerful than the first time. 

no In the third vision, she 
was in all respects much young- 
er, and comely to the eye; only 
she had the hair of an aged 
person : yet she looked cheerful, 
and sate upon a seat, 

111 I was therefore very sad 
concerning these things, until I 
might understand the vision. 

112 Wherefore I saw the same 
old woman in a vision of the 
night saying unto me, All prayer 
needeth humiliation. Fast, there- 
fore, and thou shalt learn from 
the Lord that which thou dost 
ask. I fasted therefore one day. 

113 The same night a young 
man appeared to me and said: 
Why dost thou thus often desire 
Revelations in thy prayers ? 
Take heed that by asking many 
things, thou hurt not thy body. 
Let these Revelations suffice thee. 

114 Canst thou see more nota- 
ble Revelations than those which 
thou hast already received? 

1 1 5 I answered and said unto 
him : Sir, I only ask this one 
thing upon the account of the 
three figures of the old woman 
that appeared to me, that the 
Revelation may be complete. 



(218) 



116 He answered me, You are 
not without understanding, but 
your doubts make you so ; foras- 
much as you have not your heart 
with the Lord. 

1 1 7 I replied and said, But we 
shall learn these things more 
carefully from you. 

118 T[ Hear then, says he, 
concerning the figures, about 
which you inquire. 

119 And first, in the first vision 
she appeared to thee in the shape 
of an old woman sitting in a 
chair, because your old spirit was 
decayed, and without strength, 
by reason of your infirmities, 
and the doubtfulness of your 
heart. 

120 For as they who are old 
have no hope of renewing them- 
selves, nor expect any thing but 
their departure; so you being 
weakened through your worldly 
affairs gave yourself up to sloth, 
and cast not away your solicitude 
from yourself upon the Lord: and 
your sense was confused, ' and 
you grew old in your sadness. 

121 But, sir, I would know 
why she sate upon a chair ? 

122 He answered, because 
every one that is weak sitteth 
upon a chair by reason of his 
infirmity, that his weakness may 
be upheld. Behold therefore the 
figure of the first vision. 

123 In the second vision you 
saw her standing, and having a 
youthful face, and more cheerful 
than her former; but her flesh 
and her hair were ancient. Hear, 
said he, this parable also. 

124 When any one grows old, 
he despairs of himself by reason 
of his infirmity and poverty, and 

^ Broken, Contusus. 



and of several 



VISION IV. 



of reprobates. 



expects nothing but the last day 
of his life. 

125 But on a sudden an inher- 
itance is left to him, and he hears 
of it, and rises; and being be- 
come cheerful, he puts on new 
strengtho And now he no longer 
sits downs, but stands, and is de- 
livered from his former sorrow ; 
and sits not, but acts manfully. 

126 So you, having heard the 
Revelation which God revealed 
unto you, because God had com- 
passion upon you, and renewed 
your spirit, both laid aside your 
infirmities, and strength came to 
you, and you grew strong in the 
faith; and God, seeing your 
strength, rejoiced. 

127 For this cause he shewed 
you the building of the tower, 
and will shew other things unto 
you, if you shall have peace with 
all your heart among each other. 

128 But in the third vision 
you saw her yet younger, ^ fair 
and cheerful, and of a serene 
countenance. 

129 For as if some good news 
comes to him that is sad, he 
straight- way forgets his sadness, 
and regards nothing else but the 
good news which he has heard ; 
and for the rest he is comforted, 
and his spirit is renewed through 
the joy which he has received : 
even so you have been refreshed 
in your spirit by seeing these 
good things. 

130 And for that you saw her 
sitting upon a bench, it denotes a 
strong position ; because a bench 
has four feet, and stands strong- 
ly. And even the world itself is 
upheld by the four elements. 

131 They therefore that repent 

^ Honestam. 



(219) 



perfectly, shall be young; and 
they that turn from their sins 
with their whole heart, shall be 
established. 

132 And now you have the 
Revelation fully, ask no more to 
have any thing farther revealed 
unto you. 

133 But if anything be to be 
revealed, it shall be made mani- 
fest to you. 

VISION IV. 

Of the trial and tribulation that is 
about to come upon men. 

I SAW a vision, brethren, twen- 
ty days after the former vi- 
sion ; a representation of the trib- 
ulation that is at hand. I was 
walking in the field way. 

2 Now from the public way to 
the place whither I went is about 
ten furlongs; it is a way very 
little frequented : 

3 And as I was walking alone, 
I entreated the Lord that he 
would confirm the Revelations 
which he had shewed unto me 
by his Holy Church : 

4 And would grant repentance 
to all his servants who had been 
offended, that his great and 
honorable name might be glori- 
fied, and because he thought me 
worthy ^ to whom he might shew 
his wonders ; and, that I might 
honor him, and give thanks unto 
him. 

5 And behold somewhat like 
a voice answered me : Doubt 
not, Hermas. Wherefore I be- 
gan to think, and say within 
myself; why should I doubt, 
seeing I am thus settled by the 
Lord, and have seen such glori- 
ous things ? 

^That he would shew me. 



Of the tribulation 



I. HERMAS. 



to come. 



6 I had gone but a little 
farther, brethren, when behold I 
saw a dust rise up to heaven. I 
began to say within myself, is 
there a drove of cattle coming, 
that raises such a dust ? 

7 It was about a furlong off 
from me. And behold I saw the 
dust rise more and more, inso- 
much that I began to suspect 
that there was ^ somewhat extra- 
ordinary in it. 

8 And the sun shone a little ; 
and behold I saw a great beast, 
as it were a whale ; and fiery 
locusts came out of his mouth. 
The height of the beast was 
about a hundred feet, and he 
had a head like a Marge earthen 
vessel. 

9 I began to weep, and to 
pray unto the Lord that he 
would deliver me from it. Then 
I called to mind the word which 
I had heard : Doubt not, Her- 
mas. 

ID Wherefore, brethren, put- 
ting on a divine faith, and re- 
membering who it was that had 
taught me great things, I de- 
livered myself bodily unto the 
beast. 

1 1 Now the beast came on in 
such a manner, as if it could ^ at 
once have devoured a city. 

1 2 I came near unto it, and the 
beast extended its whole bulk 
upon the ground, and put forth 
nothing but its tongue, nor once 
moved itself till I had quite 
passed by it. 

13 Now the beast had upon 
its head four colors ; first, black, 
then a red and bloody color, then 
a golden, and then a white. 

^Aliquid divinitus. ^Vas. urnale, 
^In ictu. 



14 T After that I had passed 
by it, and was gone forward 
about thirty foot, behold there 
met me a certain virgin, well 
adorned as if she had been just 
come out of her bride chamber ; 
all in white, having on white 
shoes, and a veil down her face, 
and covered with shining hair. 

15 Now I knew by my former 
visions that it was the church, 
and thereupon grew the more 
cheerful. She saluted me saying. 
Hail, O Man ! I returned the 
salutation, saying, Lady, Hail ! 

16 She answering said unto 
me. Did nothing meet you, O 
man ! I replied : Lady, there met 
me such a beast, as seemed able 
to devour a whole people ; but by 
the power of God, and thr ough 
his singular mercy, I escaped it. 

17 Thou didst escape it well, 
said she, because thou didst cast 
thy whole care upon God, and 
opened thy heart unto him, be- 
lieving that thou couldst be safe 
by no other than by his great 
and honorable name. 

18 For this cause the Lord 
sent his angel, who is over the 
beast, whose name is Hegrin, 
and stopped his mouth, that he 
should not devour thee. Thou 
hast escaped a great trial through 
thy faith, and because thou didst 
not doubt for such a terrible 
beast. 

19 Go, therefore, and relate to 
the elect of God the great things 
that he hath done for thee. And 
thou shalt say unto them, that 
this beast is the figure of the trial 
that is about to come. 

20 If therefore, ye shall have 
prepared yourselves, ye may es- 
cape it, if your heart be pure 



(220) 



Of the tribulation 



VISION IV. 



to come. 



and without spot ; and if ye shall 
serve God all the rest of your 
days without complaint. 

21 Cast all your cares upon 
the Lord, and he will direct them. 
Believe in God, ye doubtful, be- 
cause he can do all things; he 
can both turn away his wrath 
from you, and send you help and 
security. 

22 Woe to the doubtful, to those 
who shall hear these words, and 
shall despise them : it had been 
better for them that they had not 
been born. 

23 T^ Then I asked her con- 
cerning the four colors which the 
beast had upon its head. But 
she answered me, saying : Again 
thou art curious in that thou 
asketh concerning these things. 
But I said to her, Lady, shew me 
what they are. 

24 Hear, said she : The black 
which thou sawest denotes the 
world in which you dwell. The 
fiery and bloody color signifies 
that this age must be destroyed 
by fire and blood. 

25 The golden part are ye, 
who have escaped out of it. For 
as gold is tried by the fire, and 
is made profitable, so are ye 



also in like manner tried who 
dwell among the men of this 
world. 

26 They therefore, that shall 
endure to the end, and be proved 
by them, shall be purged. And 
as gold, by this trial, is cleansed 
and loses its dross, so shall ye 
also cast away all sorrow and 
trouble, and be made pure for 
the building of the tower. 

27 But the white color denotes 
the time of the world which is to 
come, in which the elect of God 
shall dwell : because the elect of 
God shall be pure and without 
spot unto life eternal. 

28 Wherefore do not thou 
cease to speak these things in 
the ears of the saints. Here ye 
have the figure of the great trib- 
ulation that is about to come ; 
which, if you please, shall be 
nothing to you. Keep therefore 
in mind the things that I have 
said unto you. 

29 When she had spoken thus 
much, she departed ; but I saw 
not whither she went. But sud- 
denly I heard a noise, and I 

i turned back, being afraid, for I 
: thought that the beast was com- 
I ing toward me. 



The Second Book of HERMAS, called his COMMANDS. 

Introduction. I immediately he sat down by me, 

WHEN I had prayed at home, and said unto me, I am sent by 
and was sat down upon that venerable messenger, that I 
the bed, a certain man came in should dwell with thee all the 
to me with a reverend look, in remaining days of thy life, 
the habit of a shepherd, clothed 3 But I thought that he was 
with a white cloak, having his come to try me, and said unto 
bag upon his back, and his staff him. Who are you ? For I know 
in his hand, and saluted me. | to whom I am committed. He 
2 I returned his salutation, and : said unto me, Do you not know 

(221) 



Of believing- 



II. HERMAS. 



in one God. 



me ? I answered, no. I am, said 
he, that shepherd to whose care 
you are delivered. 

4 Whilst he was yet speaking, 
his shape was changed; and when 
I knew that it was he to whom I 
was committed, I was ashamed, 
and a sudden fear came upon me, 
and I was utterly overcome with 
sadness, because I had spoken so 
foolishly unto him. 

5 But he said unto me, Be not 
ashamed, but receive strength in 
thy mind, through the commands 
which I am about to deliver unto 
thee. For, said he, I am sent to 
shew unto thee all those things 
again, which thou hast seen be- 
fore, but especially such of them 
as may be of most use unto thee. 

6 And first of all write my 
Commands and Similitudes, the 
rest thou shall so write as I shall 
shew unto thee. But I therefore 
bid thee first of all write my Com- 
mands and Similitudes, that by 
often reading of them thou may- 
est the more easily ' keep them 
in memory. 

7 Whereupon I wrote his Com- 
mands and Similitudes, as he 
bade me. 

8 Which things if when you 
have heard, ye shall observe to 
do them, and shall walk accord- 
ing to them, and exercise your- 
selves in them with a pure mind, 
ye shall receive from the Lord 
those things which he has prom- 
ised unto you. 

9 But if having heard them ye 
shall not repent, but shall still 
go on to add to your sins, ^ye 
shall be punished by him. 

ID All these things that Shep- 



* Observe them, Custodire 
Lat. "^ Adversa recipietis. 



herd, the angel of repentance, 
commanded me to write. 

COMMAND I. 

Of ^ believing in one God. 
CIRST of =^all believe that 
A there is one God who creat- 
ed and framed all things of 
nothing into a being. 

2 He comprehends all things, 
and is only immense, not to be 
comprehended by any. 

3 Who can neither be defined 
by any words, nor conceived by 
the mind. 

4 Therefore believe in him, 
and fear him; and fearing him 
^ abstain from all evil. 

5 Keep these things, and cast 
all " lust and iniquity far from 
thee, and put on righteousness, 
and thou shalt live to God, if 
thou shalt keep this command- 
ment. 

COMMAND 11. 

That we must avoid detraction, and do 
our alms-deeds with siynpiicity. 

HE said unto me, ^ Be innocent 
and without disguise; so 
shalt thou be like an infant who 
knows no malice which destroys 
the life of man. 

2 Especially see that thou 
speak evil of none, nor willingly 
hear any one speak evil of any. 

3 ' For if thou observest not 
this, thou also who hearest shalt 
be ^partaker of the sin of him 

^ Faith. 2 Irenaeus, 1. i, c. 3. Ori- 
.8:en, de Princ. 1. i, c. 3. Euseb. Hist. 
Eccles. 1. 5, c. 8. Athanas. de Incarn. 
Verb. &c. ^Habeabstinentiam. ^Om- 
nem concupiscentiam. MSS. Lamb, 
et Oxon. *Lat. Have simplicity and 
be innocent. ^ Gr. ' Ei 6e ixri, Kai av 



SGf/. 



So 



QKOvuv evoxog 
Lamb. MS. Particeps 
possis. male loquentis, credens 
peccatum. 
C222) 



the Gr. and 

eris peccati 

: tu habebis 



Against detraction 



COMMAND III. 



and lying. 



that speaketh evil, by believing 
the slander, and thou also shalt 
have sin, because thou believedst 
him that spoke evil of thy brother. 

4 ' Detraction is a pernicious 
thing ; an inconstant, 'evil spirit ; 
that never continues in peace, 
but is always in discord. 'Where- 
fore refrain thyself from it, and 
keep peace ever more with thy 
brother. 

5 Put on a holy * constancy, 
^ in which there are no sins, but 
all is full of joy ; and do good of 
thy labors. 

6 ' Give ' without distinction 
to all that are in want, not doubt- 
ing to whom thou givest. 

7 But give to all, for God will 
have us give to all, of 'all his 
own gifts. They therefore that 
receive shall give an account to 
God, both wherefore they receiv- 
ed, and for what end. 

8 And they that receive with- 
out a real need, shall give an 
account for it ; but he that gives 
shall be innocent. 

9 For he has fulfilled his duty 
as he received it from God ; not 
making any choice to whom he 
should give, and to whom not. 
And this service he did with sim- 
plicity, and ' to the glory of God. 

10 Keep therefore this com- 
mand according as I have deliv- 
ered it unto thee ; that thy 
repentance may be found to be 

^ Vid. Antioch. Horn. xxix. ^ Dae- 
mon. ^ The Greek hath av. * Rather 
Simplicity ; according to the Greek 
reading, preserved by Athanasius. 
^ Gr. in which there is no evil offence, 
but all things smooth and delightful, 
zv OLQ ov6tv TTpo(yKo/ifj.a eoTL irovTjpov, ak'ka 
Tcavra oaala Ky IXapa. ^ Vid. Antioch. 
Horn, xcviii. 'Simply. *G. sk tuv 
cdiuv dopv/j-aTuv. MS. Lamb. De suis 
dodis. ^Gloriously to God. 



sincere, and that good may come 
to thy house ; and have a pure 
heart. 

COMMAND III. 

0/ avoiding lying, and the repentance 
of Hernias for his dissimulation. 

MOREOVER ^he said unto 
me, love truth ; and let all 
the speech be true which pro- 
ceeds out of thy mouth. 

2 That the spirit which the 
Lord hath given to dwell in thy 
flesh may be found true towards 
all men ; and the Lord be glori- 
fied, who hath given such a spirit 
unto thee : because God is true 
in all his words, and in him 
there is no lie. 

3 They therefore that lie, deny 
the Lord, ' and become robbers 
of the Lord, ^not rendering to 
God what they received from him. 

4 For they received the spirit 
free from lying : If therefore they 
make that a liar, they defile what 
was committed to them by the 
Lord, and become deceivers. 

5 When I heard this, I wept 
bitterly; and when he saw me 
weeping, he said unto me, Why 
weepest thou ? And I said ; Be- 
cause, sir, I doubt whether I can 
be saved? 

6 He asked me. Wherefore ? I 
replied, Because, sir, I never 
spake a true word in my life; 
but always lived in dissimula- 
tion, and affirmed a lie for truth 
to all men ; and no man contra- 
dicted me, but all gave credit to 
my words. How then can I live, 
seeing I have done in this man- 
ner ? 

7 And he said unto me. Thou 

' Antioch. Horn. Ixvi. ^According 
to the Gr. ' See IH. Hermas Simil. 
ix. V. 268 et seq. 



C223) 



Of putting away 



II. HERMAS. 



a wife for adultery. 



thinkest well and truly. For 
thou oughtest, as the servant of 
God, to have walked in the truth, 
and not have joined an evil con- 
science with the spirit of truth, 
nor have grieved the holy and 
true Spirit of God. 

8 And I replied unto him'; Sir, 
I never before hearkened so dili- 
gently to these things. He an- 
swered. Now thou hearest them : 
Take care from henceforth, that 
even those things which thou 
hast formerly spoken falsely for 
the sake of thy business, may, 
^ by thy present truth, receive 
credit. 

9 For even those things may 
be credited, if for the time to 
come thou shalt speak the truth ; 
and ^by so doing thou mayest 
attain unto life. 

10 And whosoever shall heark- 
en unto this command, and do it, 
and shall depart from all lying, 
he shall live unto God. 

COMMAND IV. 

Of putting away one's wife for adul- 
tery. 

FURTHERMORE, said he, I 
command thee, that thou 
keep Hhyself chaste; and that 
thou suffer not any thought "^ of 
any other marriage, or of forni- 
cation, to enter into thy heart: 
for such a thought produces 
great sin. 

2 But be thou at all times 
mindful of the Lord, and thou 
shalt never sin. For if such an 
evil thought should arise in thy 
heart, thou shouldest be guilty of 
a great sin; and they who do 

^Through these words. Lat. His 
verbis et ilia fidem recipiant. ^ If thou 
shalt keep the truth. ^ Chastity. *An- 
other man's. 



such things, follow the way of 
death. 

3 Look therefore to thyself, 
and keep thyself from such a 
thought; for where chastity re- 
mains in the heart of a righteous 
man, there an evil thought ought 
never to arise. 

4 And I said unto him. Sir, 
suffer me to speak a little to you. 
He bade me say on. And I an- 
swered, Sir, if a man that is faith- 
ful in the Lord shall have a wife, 
and shall catch her in adultery ; 
doth a man sin that continues to 
live still with her? 

5 And he said unto me, As 
long as he is ignorant of her sin, 
he commits no fault in living 
with her ; but if a man shall know 
his wife to have offended, and she 
shall not repent of her sin, but 
go on still in her fornication, and 
a man shall continue neverthe- 
less to live with her, he shall 
become guilty of her sin, and 
partake with her in her adultery. 

6 And I said unto him, What 
therefore is to be done, if the 
woman continues on in her sin ? 
He answered, Let her husband 
put her away, and let him con- 
tinue by himself. But if he shall 
put away his wife, and marry 
another, he also doth commit 
adultery. 

7 And I said. What if the wom- 
an that is so put away, shall re- 
pent, and be willing to return to 
her husband, shall she not be 
received by him? He said unto 
me, Yes ; and if her husband 
shall not receive her, he will sin, 
and commit a great offence 
against himself: but he ought 
to receive the offender, if she re- 
pents ; only not often. 



(224) 



Of putting away 



COMMAND IV. 



a wife for adultery 



8 For to the servants of God 
there is but one repentance. And 
for this cause a man that putteth 
away his wife ought not to take 
another, because she may repent. 

9 This act is alike both in the 
man and in the woman. Now 
they commit adultery, not only 
who pollute their flesh, but who 
also make an image. ' If there- 
fore a woman perseveres in any 
thing of this kind, and repents 
not, depart from her, and live not 
with her, otherwise thou also 
shalt be partaker of her sin. 

10 But it is therefore com- 
manded that both the man and 
the woman should remain un- 
married, because such persons 
may repent. 

1 1 Nor do I in this administer 
any occasion for the doing of 
these things; but rather that 
whoso has offended, should not 
offend any more. 

12 But for their former sins, 
God who has the power of heal- 
ing will give a remedy ; for he 
has the power of all things. 

13 ^ I asked him again, and 
said ; Seeing the Lord hath 
thought me worthy that thou 
shouldest dwell with me contin- 
ually, speak a few words unto 
me, because I understand noth- 
ing, and my heart is hardened 
through my former conversation; 
and open my '^understanding 
because I am very dull, and ap- 
prehend nothing at all. 

14 And he answering said unto 
me ; I am the ^ minister of repent- 
ance, and give * understanding to 
all that repent. Does it not seem 
to thee to be ^ a very wise thing 

^ See I Cor. vii. 15. ^ Sense. 
• Praepositus. * See below, ver. 18, 
et seq. * Great wisdom. 



(225) 



to repent ? Because he that does 
so gets great understanding. 

15 For he is sensible that he 
hath sinned and done wickedly 
in the sight of the Lord, and he 
remembers ' within himself that 
he has offended, and repents and 
does no more wickedly ; but does 
that which is good, and humbles 
his soul and afflicts it, because he 
has offended. You see therefore 
that repentance is great wisdom. 

16 And I said unto him; For 
this cause, sir, I inquire diligent- 
ly into all things, because I am a 
sinner, that I may know what I 
must do that I may live ; because 
my sins are many. 

17 And he said unto me ; Thou 
shalt live if thou shalt keep these 
my commandments. And whoso- 
ever shall hear and do these com- 
mands shall live unto God. 

18 T[ And I said unto him, I 
have even now heard from certain 
teachers, that there is no other 
repentance beside that of bap- 
tism ; when we go down into the 
water, and receive the forgive- 
ness of our sins ; and that after 
that, we must sin no more, but 
live in ^ purity. ■ 

19 And he said unto me. Thou 
hast been ' rightly informed. 
Nevertheless seeing now thou in- 
quirest diligently into all things, 
I will manifest this also unto 
thee : yet not so as to give any 
occasion of sinning, either to 
those who shall hereafter believe, 
or to those who have already be- 
lieved in the Lord. 

20 For neither they who have 
* newly believed, or who shall 

^ In his understanding, ^ Chastity. 
3 Rightly heard. ^MS. Lamb. Qui 
mode crediderunt, Who have just now 
believed. 



continued. 



II. HERMAS. 



Of sadness of heari. 



hereafter believe, have any re- 
pentance of sins, but forgiveness 
af them. 

21 But as to those who have 
been called to the faith, and 
since that are fallen into any 
gross sin, the Lord hath ap- 
pointed repentance, because God 
knoweth the thoughts of all 
men's hearts, and their infirm- 
ities, and the manifold wicked- 
ness of the devil, who is always 
contriving something against the 
servants of God, and malicious- 
ly lays snares for them. 

22 Therefore our merciful Lord 
had compassion towards his crea- 
ture, and appointed that repent- 
ance, and gave unto me the 
power of it. And therefore I say 
unto thee, if any one after that 
great and holy calling shall be 
tempted by the devil and sin, he 
has one ' repentance. But if he 
shall often sin and repent, it shall 
not profit such a one ; for he 
shall hardly live unto God. 

23 And I said, Sir, I am re- 
stored again to life since I have 
thus diligently hearkened to 
these commands. For I perceive 
that if I shall not hereafter add 
any more to my sins, I shall be 
saved. 

24 And he said. Thou shalt be 
saved: and so shall all others, 
as many as shall observe these 
commandments. 

25 ^ And again I said unto 
him ; Sir, seeing thou hearest me 
patiently, shew me yet one thing 
more. Tell me, saith he, what 
it is. 

26 And I said, If a husband 
or a wife die, and the party 

^Vid. Annot. Coteler. in loc. pp. 
60, 61. 



which survives marry again, 
does he sin in so doing ? ' He 
that marries, says he, sins not: 
howbeit, if he shall remain single, 
he shall thereby gain to himself 
great honor before the Lord. 

27 Keep therefore thy chastity 
and modesty, and thou shalt live 
unto God. Observe from hence- 
forth those things which I speak 
with thee, and command thee to 
observe, from the time "that I 
have been delivered unto thee, 
and dwell in thy house. 

28 So shall thy former sins 
be forgiven, if thou shalt keep 
these my commandments. And 
in like manner shall all others 
be forgiven, who shall observe 
these my commandments. 

COMMAND V. 

Of the sadness of the heart, and of 
patience. 

BE patient, says he, and ^ long- 
suffering; so shalt thou 
have dominion over all wicked 
works, and shalt " fulfill all right- 
eousness. 

2 For if thou shalt be patient, 
the Holy Spirit which dwelleth 
in thee shall be pure, and not be 
darkened by any evil spirit ; but 
being full of joy shall be en- 
larged, and feast ^ in the body in 
which it dwells, and " serve the 
Lord with joy, and in great 
peace. 

3 But if any ^ anger shall over- 
bid, not. Coteler. in loc, p. 64, 

B. C. Rom. vii. 3. Comp. i Cor. 
vii. 2 MS. Lamb, melius ; Ex quo 
mihi traditus es. That thou hast been 
delivered unto me, and I dwell. &c. 
^Gr. MaKpodvfiog. MS. Lam. Animsequ- 
us. '^Work. ^MS. Lamb, melius, 
Cum. vase. Et. Gr. fievKa tov tr/cersf, 
with the body or vessel- • Gr. kmrapyei 
TO) Kvpiu. '' O^vxo^^ia, Gr. Bitterness of 
gall. 
(226) 



Of sadness of heart, COMMAND V. 



and of patience. 



take thee, presently the Holy 
Spirit which is in thee will be 
straightened and seek to depart 
from thee. 

4 For he is choked by the 
evil spirit ; and has not the 
liberty of "^serving the Lord as 
he would ; for he is grieved by 
' anger. ^ When, therefore, both 
these spirits dwell together, it 
is destructive to a man. 

5 As if one should take a little 
wormwood, and put it into a 
vessel of honey, the whole honey 
would be spoiled; and a great 
quantity of honey is corrupted 
by a very little wormwood, and 
loses the sweetness of honey, 
and is no longer acceptable to its 
Lord, because the whole honej^ 
is made bitter, and loses its use. 

6 But if no wormwood be put 
into the honey, it is sweet and 
profitable to its Lord. Thus is 
forbearance sweeter than honey, 
and profitable to the Lord who 
dwelleth in it. 

7 But anger is unprofitable. 
If therefore anger shall be mixed 
with forbearance, the soul is 
distressed, and its prayer is not 
profitable 'with God. 

8 And I said unto him, Sir, I 
would know the sinfulness of 
anger, that I may keep myself 
from it. And he said unto me. 
Thou shalt know it ; and if thou 
shalt not keep thyself from it, 
thou shalt lose thy hope with 
all thy house. Wherefore depart 
from it. 

9 Forlthe^messengerofright- 

^ Place. ^ Gr. Aenrapyijaai. ' O^vxoXia 

* Both Athanasius and Antiochus add 
these words, omiUed in our copies : 

* * For in forbearance (or long-suffering) 
the Lord dwelleth, but in bitterness 
the Devil." ^To. « Angel. 



(227) 



eousness am with thee ; and all 
that depart from it, and as many 
as shall repent with all their 
hearts, shall live unto God ; and 
I will be with them, and will keep 
them all. 

10 For all such as have re- 
pented have been justified by the 
most holy messenger, who is a 
minister of salvation. 

11 T[ And now, says he, hear 
the wickedness of anger ; how 
evil and hurtful it is, and how it 
overthrows the servants of God : 
for it cannot ^ hurt those that are 
full of faith because the ^ power 
of God is with them ; but it 
overthrows the doubtful, and 
those that are destitute of faith. 

1 2 For as often as it sees ^such 
men, it casts itself into their 
hearts ; and so a man or woman 
is in bitterness for nothing : for 
the things of life, or for suste- 
nance, or for a vain word, if 
any should chance to fall in; 
or by reason of any friend, or 
for a debt, or for any other 
superfluous things of the like 
nature. 

13 For these things are foolish, 
and superfluous, and vain to the 
servants of God. But equanimity 
is strong, and forcible; and of 
great power, and sitteth in great 
enlargement; is cheerful, rejoic- 
ing in peace ; and glorifying God 
at all times ^with meekness. 

14 And this long-suffering 
dwells with those that are full of 
faith. But anger is foolish, and 

^ Or. Work upon evepyrjaai ; et MS. 
Lamb, facere. ^ Virtue. ^ Gr. Toinmg 
av6po)u8i. ■* In the Greek of Athanasius 
and Antiochus the sense is fuller : 
Having nothing of bitterness in itself, 
and continuing always in meekness, 
and quietness. 



Every man 



II. HERMAS. 



has two angels. 



light, and empty. Now bitter- 
ness is bred, through folly ; by 
bitterness, anger ; by anger, fury. 
And this fury arising from so 
many evil principles, worketh a 
great and incurable sin. 

15 For when all these things 
are in the same ^ man in which 
the Holy Spirit dwells, the 
vessel cannot contain them, but 
runs over : and because the 
Spirit being tender cannot tarry 
with the evil one; it departs, 
and dwells with him that is 
meek. 

16 When therefore it is de- 
parted from the man in whom it 
dwelt; that man becomes desti- 
tute of the Holy Spirit, and is 
afterwards filled with wicked 
spirits, ^ and is blinded with evil 
thoughts. Thus doth it happen 
to all angry men. 

1 7 Wherefore depart thou from 
anger and put on equanimity, 
and resist wrath ; so thou shalt 
be ^ found with modesty and 
chastity by God. Take good 
heed therefore that thou neglect 
not this commandment. 

18 For if thou shalt obey this 
command, then shalt thou also 
be able to observe the other com- 
mandments which I shall com- 
mand thee. 

19 Wherefore strengthen thy- 
self now in these commands, 
that thou mayest live unto God. 
And whosoever shall observe 

' Vessel. 2 In the Greek of Athanasi- 
us follow these words omitted in the 
Lat. Vers, of Hermas : "And is un- 
stable in all his doings, being drawn 
hither and thither by wicked men." 
2 In the Greek of Athanasius it runs 
better thus, "Applauded with rever- 
ence by those who are beloved of 
God." 



these commandments shall live 
unto God. 

COMMAND VI. 

That every man has tiuo ' angels and 
of the suggestion of both. 

T COMMANDED thee, said he, 
1 in my first commandments, 
that thou shouldst keep faith, a6d 
fear, and ^repentance. Yes, sir, 
said I. 

2 He continued: But now I 
will shew thee the virtues of 
these commands, that thou may- 
est know their effects ; how they 
are 'prescribed alike to the just 
and unjust. 

3 Do thou therefore believe the 
righteous, but give no credit to 
the unrighteous. For righteous- 
ness keepeth the right way, but 
unrighteousness the wicked way. 

4 Do thou therefore keep the 
right way, and leave that which 
is evil. For the evil way has not 
a good end, but hath many stum- 
bling-blocks ; it is rugged and 
full of thorns, and leads to de- 
struction; and it is hurtful to 
all such as walk in it. 

5 But they who go in the right 
way, walk with evenness, and 
without offence ; because it is 
not rough nor thorny. 

6 Thou seest therefore, how it 
is best to walk in this way. Thou 
shalt therefore go, says he, and 
all others, as many as believe in 
God with all their heart, shall 
go through it. 

7 \ And now, says he; un- 

Wid. Coteler. Annot. in loc. pp. 67, 
68. Comp. Edit, Oxon. p. 61, Note a. 
^ Lat. Poenitentiam ; it should rather 
be Abstinentiam ; as in the Greek of 
Athanasius ; as appears by the first 
Commandment, which is here referred 
to. 2 Place, Lat. Posita sunt. 



(228) 



Familiar angels. 



COMMAND VII. We must fear God 



derstand' first of all what belongs 
to faith. There are two angels 
with man ; one of righteousness, 
the other of iniquity. 

8 And I said unto him; Sir, 
how shall I know that there are 
two such angels with man ? 
Hear, says he, and understand. 

9 The angel of righteousness, 
is mild and modest, and gentle, 
and quiet. When therefore, he 
gets into thy heart, immediately 
he talks with thee of righteous- 
ness, of modesty, of chastity, of 
bountifulness, of forgiveness, of 
charity, and piety. 

10 When all these things come 
into thy heart, know then that 
the angel of righteousness is with 
thee. Wherefore hearken to this 
angel and to his works. 

1 1 Learn also the works of the 
angel of iniquity. He is first of 
all bitter, and angry, and fool- 
ish; and his works are pernicious, 
and overthrow the servant of 
God. When therefore these 
things come into thy heart ; thou 
shalt know by his works, that 
this is the angel of iniquity. 

12 And I said unto him. Sir, 
how shall I understand these 
things? Hear, says he, and un- 
derstand. When anger overtakes 
thee, or bitterness, know that he 
is in thee ; 

13 As also, when the dCvSire of 
many 'things, and of the best 
meats and of drunkenness ; when 
the iove of what belongs to 
others, pride, and much speak- 
ing, and ambition, and the like 
things, come upon thee. 

1 4 When therefore these things 

*Vid. Antioch. Hom. Ixi. Comp. 
Orig. 1. iii. De Princip. et in Luc. 
Hom. XXXV. * Works. Gr. npa^euv. 



(229) 



arise in thy heart, know that the 
angel of iniquity is with thee. 
Seeing therefore thou knowest 
his works, depart from them all, 
and give no credit to him : be- 
cause his works are evil, and 
become not the servants of God. 

15 Here therefore thou hast 
the w^orks of both these angels. 
Understand now and believe the 
angel of righteousness, because 
his instruction is good. 

16 For let a man be never so 
happy ; yet if the thoughts of the 
other angel arise in his heart, 
that man or woman must needs 
sin. 

17 But let man or woman be 
never so wicked, if the works of 
the angel of righteousness come 
into his heart, that man or woman 
must needs do some good. 

18 Thou seest therefore how 
it is good to follow the angel of 
righteousness. If therefore thou 
shalt follow him, and ^ submit to 
his works, thou shalt live unto 
God. And as many as shall 
' submit to his w^orks, shall live 
also unto God. 

COMMAND VII. 

Thai we must fear God^ but not the 
Devil. 

FEAR "^ God, says he, and keep 
his commandments. For if 
thou keepest his commandments 
thou shalt be powerful in every 
work, and all thy works shall be 
^ excellent. For by fearing God, 
thou shalt do every thing well. 

2 This is that fear with which 
thou must be affected that thou 
mayest be saved. But fear not 

^ Gr. TiGTevoTic, Lat. Credideris, Be- 
lieve. ^Vid. Antioch. Hom. cxxvii. 
Eccles. xii. 13. ^ kavyKparog, Without 
comparison ; or without mixture. 



IVe vuist flee evil, 



II. HERMAS. 



and do good. 



the Devil : for if thou fearest the 
Lord, thou shalt have dominion 
over him; because there is no 
power in him. 

3 Now if there be no power in 
him, then neither is he to be 
feared. But he in whom there is 
excellent power, he is to be fear- 
ed : for every one that has power, 
is to be feared. But he that has 
no power is despised by every 
one. 

4 Fear the works of the Devil, 
because they are evil. For by 
fearing the Lord, thou wilt fear 
and not do the works of the Devil, 
but keep thyself from them. 

5 There is therefore a twofold 
fear ; ' if thou wilt not do evil, 
fear the Lord and thou shalt not 
do it. But if thou wilt do good, 
"the fear of the Lord is strong, 
and great and glorious. 

6 Wherefore, fear God, and 
thou shalt live: and whosoever 
shall fear him, and keep his com- 
mandments, their life is with the 
Lord. But they who keep them 
not, neither is life in them. 

COMMAND VIII. 

That we must flee from evil, and do 
good. 

T HAVE told thee, said he, 
A that there are two kinds of 
creatures of the Lord, and that 
there is a twofold ^ abstinence. 
From some things therefore thou 
must abstain, and from others 
not. 

2 I answered. Declare to me, 
sir, from what I must abstain, 
and from what not. Hearken, 

1 Gr. Antioch. ^ in the Gr. of Anti- 
och these words follow, which make 
the connection more clear: "Fear 
also the Lord, and thou shalt be able 
to do it, for." ^Antioch. Hom. Ixxix. 

(2 



said he. Keep thyself from evil 
and do it not ; but abstain not 
from good, but do it. For if thou 
shalt abstain from what is good, 
and do not do it, thou shalt sin. 
Abstain, therefore from all evil, 
and thou shalt ' know all right- 
eousness. 

3 I said, What evil things are 
they from which I must abstain ? 
Hearken, said he : from adultery, 
from drunkenness, from riots, 
from excess of eating, from dain- 
tiness and dishonesty, from pride, 
from fraud, from lying, from 
detraction, from hypocrisy, from 
remembrance of injuries, and 
from all evil speaking. 

4 For these are the works of 
iniquity, from which the servant 
of God must abstain. For he 
that cannot keep himself from 
these things, cannot live unto 
God. 

5 But hear, said he, what fol- 
lows of these kind of things : 
for indeed many more there are 
from which the servant of God 
must abstain. From theft, and 
cheating, from false witness, 
from covetousness, from boast- 
ing, and all other things of the 
like nature. 

6 Do these things seem to thee 
to be evil or not ? Indeed they 
are very evil to the servants of 
God. Wherefore the servant of 
God must abstain from all these 
" works. 

7 Keep thyself therefore from 
them, that thou mayest live unto 
God, and be written among those 
that abstain from them. And 
thus have I shown thee what 
things thou must avoid: now 

^ Do, according to the Greek, tpya- 
CofiEvov^. ^ Vid. Coteler. in loc. 

30) 



IV€ must ask of Goa COMMAND IX. 



daily ^ in faith. 



learn from what thou must not 
abstain. 

8 Abstain not from any good 
works, but do them. Hear, said 
he, what the virtue of those good 
works is which thou must do, 
that thou mayest be saved. The 
first of all is faith; the fear of 
the Lord ; charity ; concord ; 
equit}^ ; truth ; patience ; chastity. 

9 There is nothing better than 
these things in the life of man ; 
' who shall keep and do these 
things in their life. Hear next 
what follow these. 

10 To minister to the widows ; 
not to despise the fatherless and 
poor; to redeem the servants of 
God from necessity; to be 
hospitable; (for in hospitality 
there is sometimes ' great fruit) 
not to be contentious, but be 
quiet. 

11 To be humble above all 
men ; to reverence the aged ; to 
labor to be righteous ; ^ to respect 
the brotherhood ; to bear affronts; 
to be long-suffering ; * not to cast 
away those that have fallen 
from the faith, but to convert 
them, and make them be of ^good 
cheer; to admonish sinners; not 
to oppress those that are our 
debtors ; and all other things of 
a like kind. 

12 Do these things seem to 
thee to be good or not ? And I 
said, What can be better than 

^ The sense here is defective and 
may be thus restored from the Greek 
of Athanasius : Whoever keeps these 
things, and doth not abstain from them, 
shall be happy in his life. And so the 
Lamb. MS. Hsecqui custodierit. ^Gr. 
ayaBoTTOLTicL^, good deed. ^ cwTrjpeiv. 
* Add from the Gr. of Athanasius and 
Antiochus : Not to remember injuries; 
To comfort those who labor in their 
minds. ^ Evdv/iovc. 

(23 



these words ? Live then, said he, 
in these commandments, and do 
not depart from them. For if 
thou shalt keep all these com- 
mandments, thou shalt live unto 
God. And all they that shall 
keep these commandments shall 
live unto God. 

COMMAND IX. 

T/iat we must ask of God daily ; and 

without doubting. 

AGAIN he said unto me; 
^ remove from thee all doubt- 
ing ; and question nothing at all, 
when thou askest any thing of 
the Lord ; saying within thyself : 
how shall I be able to ask any 
thing of the Lord and receive it, 
seeing I have so greatly sinned 
against him ? 

2 Do not think thus, but turn 
unto the Lord with all thy heart, 
and ask of him without doubt- 
ing, and thou shalt know the 
mercy of the Lord ; how that he 
will not forsake thee, but will 
fulfill the request of thy soul. 

3 For God is not as men, mind- 
ful of the injuries he has re- 
ceived; but he forgets injuries, 
and has compassion upon his 
creatures. 

4 Wherefore purify thy heart 
from all the vices of this present 
world; and observe the com- 
mands I have before delivered un- 
to thee from God ; and thou shalt 
receive whatsoever good things 
thou shalt ask, and nothing 
shall be wanting unto thee of all 
thy petitions ; if thou shalt ask 
of the Lord without doubting. 

5 But they that are not such, 
shall obtain none of those things 

* Vid. Antioch. Horn. Ixxxiii. ^ Con- 
fer. Fragm. D. Grabe. Spicileg. 
tom i., p. 303. 



Of the sadness 



II. HERMAS. 



of the heart 



which they ask.* For they that 
are full of faith, ask all things 
with confidence, and receive 
from the Lord, because they ask 
without doubting. But he that 
doubts, shall hardly live unto 
God, except he repent. 

6 Wherefore purify thy heart 
from doubting, and put on faith, 
and trust in God, and thou shalt 
receive all that thou shalt ask. 
But, and if thou shouldest chance 
to ask somewhat, and not (Mm- 
mediately) receive it, yet do not 
therefore doubt, because thou 
hast not presently received the 
petition of thy soul. 

7 For it may be thou shalt 
not presently receive it for thy 
trial, or else for some sin which 
thou knowest not. But do not 
thou leave off to ask, ' and then 
thou shalt receive. Else if thou 
shalt cease to ask, thou must 
complain of thyself, and not of 
God, that he has not given unto 
thee what thou didst desire. 

8 Consider therefore this doubt- 
ing how cruel and pernicious it 
is; and how it utterly roots out 
many from the faith, who were 
very faithful and firm. For this 
doubting is the daughter of the 
Devil, and deals very wickedly 
with the servants of God. 

9 Despise it therefore, and thou 
shalt rule over it " on every oc- 
casion. , Put on a firm and 
powerful faith: for faith prom- 

^ Add from the Gr., both of Athan- 
asius and Antiochus : But if thou 
doubtest in thy heart, thou shalt re- 
ceive none of thy petitions. For those 
who distrust (or, doubt of) God, are 
like the double minded, who shall ob- 
tain none of these things. ^So MS. 
Lamb. Tardius accipias; and so the Gr. 
Bpa^j;repov /la///3avetc. ^ Asking the peti- 
tion of thy soul. ■* In every thing. 



(232) 



ises all things and perfects all 
things. But doubting will not 
believe, that it shall obtain any 
thing, by all that it can do. 

10 Thou seest therefore, says 
he, how faith cometh from above, 
from God ; and hath great power. 
But doubting is an earthly spirit, 
and proceedeth from the devil, 
and has no strength. 

1 1 Do thou therefore keep the 
virtue of faith, and depart from 
doubting, in which is no virtue, 
and thou shalt live unto God. 
And all shall live unto God, as 
many as do these things. 

COMMAND X. 

Of the sadness of the heart; and that 
we must take heed not to grieve the 
spirit of God that is in us. 

PUT all sadness far from thee ; 
for it is the sister of doubt- 
ing and of anger. How, sir, said 
I, is it the sister of these? For 
sadness, and anger, and doubting, 
seem to me to be very different 
from one another. 

2 And he answered : ^ Art thou 
without sense that thou dost not 
understand it? For sadness is 
the most mischievous of all spir- 
its, and the worst to the servants 
of God : ^ It dCvStroys the spirits 
of all men, and torments the 
Holy Spirit ; and again it saves. 

3 Sir, said I, I am very foolish, 
and understand not these 'things. 
I cannot apprehend how it can 
torment, and yet save. Hear, 
said he, and understand. They 
who never sought out the truth, 
nor inquired concerning the maj- 
esty of God, but only believed, 

' Without sense thou dost not under- 
stand it. 2 So the Lat. Vers. But the 
Gr. of Athanasius is better: And de- 
stroyeth man more than any other 
spirit. ^ Questions. 



Of the sadness 



COMMAND X. 



of the heart. 



are involved in the affairs of the 
heathen. 

4 And there is another Mying 
prophet, that destroys the 'minds 
of the servants of God; that is 
of those that are doubtful, not of 
those that fully trust in the Lord. 
Now those doubtful persons 
come to him, as to a divine spir- 
it, and inquire of him what shall 
befall them. 

5 And this lying prophet, hav- 
ing no power in him of the 
Divine Spirit, answers them ac- 
cording to their demands, and 
fills their souls with promises 
according as they desire. How- 
beit that prophet is vain, and 
answers vain things to those who 
are themselves vain. 

6 And whatsoever is asked of 
him by vain men, he answers 
them vainly. Nevertheless he 
speaketh some things truly. 
For the Devil fills him with his 
spirit, that he may overthrow 
some of the righteous. 

7 \ Whosoever therefore are 
strong in the faith of the Lord, 
and have put on the truth ; they 
are not joined to such spirits, but 
depart from them. But they that 
are doubtful, and often repent- 
ing, like the heathens, consult 
them, and heap up to themselves 
great sin, serving idols. 

8 As many therefore as are 
such, inquire of them upon every 
occasion ; worship idols ; and are 
foolish, and void of the truth. 

9 For every spirit that is given 
from God needs not to be asked ; 
but having the power of divinity 
speaks all things of itself; be- 

* Vid. Edit. Oxon. p, 70, b. Comp. 
2 Cor. vii. 10. ^Lat. Sensus: from 
the Greek Novf. 



(233) 



cause he comes from above, from 
the power of God. 

10 But he that being asked 
speaks according to men's de- 
sires, and concerning many other 
affairs of this present world, un- 
derstands not the things which 
relate unto God. For these 
spirits are darkened through 
such affairs, and corrupted, and 
broken. 

1 1 As good vines if they are 
neglected, are oppressed with 
weeds and thorns, and at last 
killed by them ; so are the men 
who believe such spirits. 

1 2 They fall into many actions 
and businesses, and are void of 
sense, ^and when they think of 
things pertaining unto God, they 
understand nothing at all : but if 
at any time they chance to hear 
any thing concerning the Lord, 
their " thoughts are upon their 
business. 

13 But they that have the fear 
of the Lord, and search out the 
truth concerning God, ^ having 
all their thoughts towards the 
Lord; apprehend whatsoever is 
said to them, and forthwith un- 
derstand it, because they have 
the fear of the Lord in them. 

14 For where the spirit of the 
Lord dwells, there is also * much 
understanding added. Where- 
fore join thyself to the Lord, ^and 
thou shalt understand all things. 

15 Tf Learn now, O unwise 
man ! how sadness ^ troubleth the 

* And understand nothing at all, 
thinking of riches. Lat. 2 Senses. 
3 Or. of Athanasius, Kap6iav exovrec npo^ 
Kvpiov. So that the Latin should be 
Habentes, not Habent. '*Gro cweatg 
7ro?.l7j, ^ Gr. iravra voijaeic And so in 
the Lamb. MS. Omnia scies. «Gr. 
EKTpifiei, MS. Lamb. Contribulat. 



}V^ musi not grieve 



II. HERMAS, 



the spirit of God, 



Holy Spirit, and how it saves. 
When a man that is doubtful is 
engaged in any affair, and does 
not accomplish it by reason of 
his doubting ; this sadness enters 
into him, and grieves the Holy 
Spirit, and makes him sad. 

1 6 Again, anger when it over- 
takes any man for any business 
he is greatly moved ; ' and then 
again sadness entereth into the 
heart of him, who was moved 
with anger, and he is troubled for 
what he hath done, and repent- 
eth, because he hath done amiss. 

1 7 This sadness therefore .seem- 
eth to bring salvation, because he 
repenteth of his evil deed. But 
both the other things, namely, 
doubting and sadness, such as 
before was mentioned, vex the 
spirit : doubting, because his 
work did not succeed : and sad- 
ness, because he angered the 
Holy Spirit, 

1 8 ^ Remove therefore sadness 
from thyself, ^ and afflict not the 
Holy Spirit which dwelleth in 
thee, lest he * entreat God, and 
depart from thee. For the spirit 
of the Lord ^ which is given to 

'In the Greek of Athanasius, follows, 
Kai TTOLijcTT) Ti KOKov, and he doth some- 
thing which is ill. Which better agrees 
with what follows. Because he hath 
done amiss. The text in this place be- 
ing evidently corrupted, it has been 
endeavored to restore the true sense 
of it from the Greek of Athanasius, 
which is as follows : rraXiv rj Ivivr] eiGno- 
peverai etc ti)v Kapdi.av Tov ai>Bpo)Trov tov 
o^vxo2,ij(TavToc, Kai TiVireiTai stti t^ rrpa^ei 
avTov ^ ETzpa^ev Kai fisravoei on Trovijpov 
eipyaoaro. Avtt} ovv t] ^ivttij doKSt ccoTTjptav 
exdv, on to TzovTjpov npa^ag fieTtvorjaEv. 
AfKpoTepat 6e tuv rrpa^euv TiVTrovac, &c. 
'Antioch. Hom. xxv. ^Gr. Mi] 6?iii3e, 
MS. Lamb. Noli nocere. ^Gr. Urj 
tvrev^rjTai r^ dec,). Comp. Rom. vii. 27. 
• Gr. To dodev etc rijv aapKOy tuvtijv ?iVTvijv 
ovK vno^epei. 



(234) 



dwell in the flesh, endureth no 
such sadness. 

19 Wherefore clothe thyself 
with cheerfulness, which has al- 
ways favor with the Lord, and 
thou shalt rejoice in it. For 
every cheerful man does well; 
and relishes those things that 
are good, and despises ' sadness. 

20 But the sad man does al- 
ways wickedly, ^ First, he doth 
wickedly, because he grieveth 
the Holy Spirit, which is given 
to man being of a cheerful na- 
ture. And again he does ill, be- 
cause he prays with sadness unto 
the Lord, and maketh not first a 
thankful acknowledgment unto 
him of former mercies ; and ob- 
tains not of God what he asks. 

2 1 For the prayer of a sad man 
has not always efficacy to come 
up to the altar of God. And I 
said unto him. Sir, why has not 
the prayer of a sad man virtue to 
come up to the altar of God ? Be- 
cause, said he, that sadness re- 
maineth in his heart. 

22 When therefore a man's 
prayer shall be accompanied with 
sadness, it will not suffer his re- 
quests to ascend pure to the 
altar of God. For as wine when 
it is mingled with vinegar, has 
not the sweetness it had before; 
so sadness being mixed with the 
Holy Spirit, suffers not a man's 
prayer to be the same as it would 
be otherwise. 

23 Wherefore cleanse thyself 
from sadness, which is evil, and 
thou shalt live unto God. And 
all others shall live unto God, as 
many as shall lay aside sadness, 
and put on cheerfulness. 

^ Cr. ?i.v7T7ig. * So the Greek : o dt 
ylvTn/pof avijp rravTore irovTjpeverai. npurov 
(uv irovijpeveTat, &C. 



sprits and Prophets COMMAND XI. to be tried by werks. 



COMMAND XI. 

That the spirits a7id prophets are to be 
tried by their works ; aiid of a two- 
fold spirit. 

HE shewed me certain men 
sitting upon benches, and 
one sitting in a chair ; and he 
said unto me : Seest thou those 
who sit upon the benches ? Sir, 
said I, I see them. He answered, 
They are the faithful; and he 
who sits in the chair is an earth- 
ly spirit. 

2 For he cometh not into ' the 
assembly of the faithful, but 
avoids it. But he joins himself 
to the doubtful and empty ; and 
prophesies to them in corners 
and hidden places ; and pleases 
them by speaking according to 
all the desires of their hearts. 

3 For he placing himself among 
empty vessels, is not broken, but 
the one fitteth the other. But 
when he cometh into the com- 
pany of just men, '^ who are full 
of the spirit of God, and they 
pray unto the Lord ; that man is 
'emptied, because that earthly 
spirit flies from him, and he is 
dumb, and cannot speak any 
thing. 

4 As if in a store-house you 
shall stop up wine or oil; and 
among those vessels shall place 
an empty jar; and shall after- 
wards come to open it, you shall 
find it empty as you stopped it 
up: so those empty prophets* 

^ Church of the living. ^ Have the 
Spirit of God in them. ^ Exinanitur. 
* Something was M^anting in this place 
to make the subject clear, and it was 
suggested to Archbishop Wake, by Dr. 
Grabe, that what should have followed 
was transposed into the next com- 
mand. Accordingly the Archbishop 
reduced both places to what he con- 
ceived should be their true order, and 
in that state they now stand. 



when they come among the 
spirits of the just, are found to 
be such as they came. 

5 T^ I said. How then shall a 
man be able to discern them? 
Consider what I am going to say 
concerning both kinds of ' men ; 
and as I speak unto thee so shalt 
thou prove the prophet of God, 
and the false prophet. 

6 And first try the man who 
hath the spirit of God ; because 
the spirit which is from above 
is humble, and quiet ; and departs 
from all wickedness; and from 
the vain desires of the present 
world ; and makes himself more 
humble than all men ; and an- 
swers to none when he is asked ; 
nor to every one singly : for the 
Spirit of God doth not speak to a 
man when he will, but when God 
pleases. 

7 When therefore a man who 
hath the Spirit of God shall come 
into the church of the righteous, 
who have the faith of God, and 
they pray unto the Lord ; then 
the holy angel of God fills that 
man with the blessed Spirit, and 
he speaks in the congregation as 
he is moved of God. 

8 Thus therefore is the spirit 
of God known, because whoso- 
ever speaketh by the Spirit of 
God, speaketh as the Lord will. 

9 Hear now concerning the 
earthly spirit,which is empty and 
foolish, and without virtue. And 
first of all the man who is sup- 
posed to have the Spirit, (where- 
as he hath it not in reality), 
exalteth himself, and desires to 
have the first seat, and is wicked, 
and full of words. 

10 And spends his time in 

1 Vessels. 



(235) 



Of a twofold spirit 



II. HERMAS, 



Of a twofold desire. 



pleasure, and in all manner of 
voluptuousness ; and receives the 
reward of his divination ; which 
if he receives not, he does not 
divine. 

11 Should the Spirit of God 
receive reward and divine? It 
doth not become a prophet of 
God so to do. 

12 Thus you see the life of 
each of these kind of prophets. 
Wherefore prove that man by 
his life and works, who says 
that he hath the Holy Spirit. 
And believe the Spirit which 
comes from God, and has power 
as such. But believe not the 
earthly and empty spirit, which 
is from the devil, in whom there 
is no faith nor virtue. 

13 Hear now the similitude 
which I am about to speak unto 
thee. Take a stone, and throw it 
up towards heaven ; or take a 
spout of water, and mount it up 
thitherward; and see if thou 
canst reach unto heaven. 

14 Sir, said I, how can this be 
done ? For neither of those things 
which you have mentioned, are 
possible to be done. And he 
answered. Therefore as these 
things cannot be done, so is the 
earthly spirit without virtue, and 
without effect. 

15 Understand yet farther the 
power which cometh from above, 
in this similitude. The grains of 
hail that drop down are exceed- 
ing small ; and yet, when they 
fall upon the head of a man, how 
do they cause pain to it? 

16 And again; consider the 
droppings of a house: how the 
little drops falling upon the earth, 
work a hollow in the stones. 

17 So in like manner the least 



things which come from above, 
and fall upon the earth, have 
great force. Wherefore join thy- 
self to this spirit, which has the 
power ; and depart from the 
other which is empty. 

COMMAND XII. 

Of a tw Q-f old desire : that the cctn- 
mauds of God are not inipossibu' ; 
and that the devil is not to be feared 
by them that believe. 

AGAIN he said unto me : ^ re- 
move from thee all evil de- 
sires, and put on good and holy 
desires. For having put on a 
good desire, thou shalt hate that 
which is evil, and bridle it as 
thou wilt. But an evil desire is 
dreadful, and hard to be tamed. 

2 It is very horrible and wild : 
and by its wildness consumes 
men. And especially if a serv- 
ant of God shall chance to fall 
into it, except he be very wise, 
he ^ is ruined by it. For it 
destroys those w^ho have not the 
garment of a good desire: and 
^are engaged in the affairs of 
this present world ; and delivers 
them unto death. 

3 * Sir, said I, v/hat are the 
works of an evil desire, which 
bring men unto death? Shew 
them to me, that I may depart 
from them. Hear, said he, by 
what works an evil desire bring- 



eth the 
death. 



servants of God unto 



^ Vid. Antioch. Horn. 
Lamb. Consumitur, et 



Ixxiv. 2 MS. 
Gr. Athanas. 



daTTavarat. ^ Gr. Athanas. eiu7re(l>vpfj,evov^ 
To) atuvL Tovoco. Instead of implicateos, 
the Lat. Vers, should be Implicates. 
* That the words here inserted, and re- 
moved into their proper place in the 
foregoing Command, do not belong to 
this Discourse, the Greek of Athana- 
sius, in which they are all omitted, 
clearly shews. 



(236) 



God^s commands 



COMMAND XII. 



not impossible. 



4 First of all, it is an evil de- 
sire to covet another man's wife ; 
or for a woman to covet another's 
husband; as also to desire the 
dainties of riches; and multitude 
of superfluous meats; and drunk- 
enness; and many delights. 

5 For in much delicacy there 
is folly ; and many pleasures are 
needless to the servants of God 
Such lusting therefore is evil and 
pernicious, which brings to death 
the servants of God. For all 
such lusting is from the devil. 

6 Whosoever therefore shall 
depart from all evil desires, shall 
live unto God ; but they that are 
subject unto them shall die for 
ever. For this evil lusting is 
deadly. Do thou therefore put 
on the desire of righteousness, 
and being armed with the fear of 
the Lord resist all wicked lusting. 

7 For this fear dwelleth in 
good desires; and when evil cov- 
eting shall see thee armed with 
the fear of the Lord, and resist- 
ing it; it will fly far from thee, 
and not appear before thee, but 
be afraid of thy armour ; 

8 And thou shalt have the 
victory, and be crowned for it ; 
and shalt attain unto that desire 
which is good; and shalt give 
the victory which thou hast ob- 
tained unto God, and shalt serve 
him in doing what thou thyself 
wouldst do. 



he. Fear God and put thy trust 
in' him, and love truth, and 
righteousness, and do that which 

is good. 

11 If thou shalt do these 
things, thou shalt be an approv- 
ed servant of God; and shalt 
serve him: and all others who 
shall in like manner serve a good 
desire shall live unto God. 

12 1 And when he had ful- 
filled these twelve commands, he 
said unto me. Thou hast now 
these commands, walk in them ; 
and exhort those that hear them 
that they repent, and that they 
keep their repentance pure all 
th^ remaining days of their life. 

13 And fulfill diligently this 
ministry which I commit to thee, 
and thou shalt receive great ad- 
vantage by it; and shalt find 
favor with all such as shall re- 

1 pent, and shall believe thy words 
iFor I am with thee, and will 
j force them to believe. 

14 And I said unto him. Sir, 
these commands are great and 
excellent, and able to cheer the 
heart of that man that shall be 
able to keep them. But, Sir, I 
cannot tell, whether they can be 
observed by any man ? 

15 He answered. Thou shalt 
easily keep these commands, and 
they shall not be hard : howbeit, 
if thou shalt suffer it once to 
enter into thy heart that they 



g For if thou Shalt serve good cannot be kept by any one, thou 
desires, and be subject to them ; I shalt not fulfill them 



thou shalt be able to get the do- 
minion over thy wicked lustings ; 
and they shall be subject to thee 
as thou wilt. 

ID \ And I said. Sir, I would 
know how to serve that desire 

which is good? Hearken, said 

( ^ 



16 But now I say unto thee, if 
thou shalt not observe these com- 
mands, but shalt neglect them, 
thou shalt not be saved, nor thy 
children, nor thy house ; because 
thou hast judged that these com- 
mands cannot be kept by man. 



(237) 



Believers not to 



II. HERMAS. 



fear the devil. 



17 ^ These things he spake 
very angrily unto me, insomuch 
that he greatly affrighted me. 
For he changed his countenance, 
so that a man could not bear his 
anger. 

18 And when he saw me alto- 
gether troubled and confounded, 
he began to speak more moder- 
ately and cheerfully, saying, O 
foolish, and without understand- 
ing! 

19 Unconstant, not knowing 
the majesty of God, how great 
and wonderful he is : who created 
the world for man, and hath 
made every creature subject un- 
to him : and given him all power, 
that he should be able to ' fulfill 
all these commands. 

20 He is able, said he, to ' ful- 
fill all these commands, who has 
the Lord in his heart : but they 
who have the Lord only in their 
mouths, and their heart is hard- 
ened, and they are far from the 
Lord ; to such persons these com- 
mands are hard and difficult. 

21 Put therefore, ye that are 
empt}^ and light in the faith, the 
Lord your God in your hearts ; 
and \^e shall perceive how that 
nothing is more easy than these 
commands, nor more pleasant, 
nor more gentle and holy. 

22 And turn yourselves to the 
Lord your God, and forsake the 
devil and his pleasures, because 
they are evil, and bitter, and im- 
pure. And fear not the devil, 
because he has no power over 
you. 

23 For I am with you, the 
'messenger of repentance, who 
have the dominion over him. 
The devil doth indeed affright 

* Ut dominetur. * Angel. 



men; but his terror is vain. 
Wherefore fear him not, and he 
will flee from you. 

24 And I said unto him; Sir, 
hear me speak a few words unto 
you. He answered, Say on : A 
man indeed desires to keep the 
commandments of God : and 
there is no one but what prays 
unto God, that he may be able to 
keep his commandments. 

25 But the devil is hard, and 
by his power rules over the serv- 
ants of God. And he said; He 
cannot rule over the servants of 
God, ' who trust in him with all 
their hearts. 

26 The devil may strive, but 
he cannot overcome them. 

27 For if ye resist him, he will 
flee away with confusion from 
you. But they that are not f»ull 
in the faith, fear the devil, as if 
he had some great power. For 
the devil tries the servants of 
God, and if he finds them empty, 
he destroys them. 

28 For as a man, when he fills 
up vessels with good wine, 'and 
among them puts a few vessels 
half full, and comes to try and 
taste of the vessels, doth not try 
those that are full, because he 
knows that they are good ; but 
tastes those that are half full, lest 
they should grow sour ; (for 
vessels half full soon grow sour, 
and lose the taste of wine:) so 
the devil comes to the servants 
of God to try them. 

29 They that are full of faith, 
resist him stoutly, and he departs 
from them, because he finds no 
place where to enter into them : 
then he goes to those that are not 

' Gr. eX-m^ovTuv etc 'Avrov. * Origen, 
in Matt. xxiv. 42. 



(238) 



but turn 



SIMILITUDE L 



to the Lord, 



full of faith, and because he has 
place of entrance, he goes into 
them, and does what he will with 
them, and they become his serv- 
ants. 

30 T[ But I, ' the messenger of 
repentance, say unto you, fear 
not the devil, for I am sent unto 
you, that I may be with you, as 
many as shall repent with your 
whole heart, and that I may 
confirm you in the faith. 

31 ' Believe therefore, ye who 
by reason of your transgressions 
have ^ forgot God, and your own 
salvation ; and * adding to your 
sins have made your life very 
heavy. 

32 That if ye shall turn to the 
Lord with your whole hearts, 
and shall serve him according 
to his will ; he will heal you of 
your former sins, and ye shall 
have dominion over all the works 
of the devil. 

33 Be not then afraid in the 



least of his threatenings, for they 
are without force, as the nerves 
of a dead man. But hearken 
unto me, and fear the Lord Al- 
mighty, who is able to save and 
to destroy you ; and keep his com- 
mands, that ye may live unto 
God. 

34 And I said unto him : Sir, 
I am now confirmed in all the 
commands of the Lord whilst 
that you are with me, and I know 
that you will break all the power 
of the devil. 

35 And we also shall over- 
come him, if we shall be able, 
through the help of the Lord, to 
keep these commands which you 
have delivered. 

36 Thou shalt keep them, said 
he, if thou shalt purify thy heart 
towards the Lord. And all they 
also shall keep them who shall 
cleanse their hearts from the vain 

' desires of the present world, and 
shall live unto God. 



The Third Book of HERMAS, which is called his 
SIMILITUDES. 



SIMILITUDE I. 

That seeing we have no abiding city 
in this world, we ought to look after 
that which is to come. 

AND he said unto me; 'Ye 
know that ye w4io are the 
servants of the Lord, live here as 
in a pilgrimage ; for your city is 
far off from this city. 

2 If, therefore, ye know your 
city in which ye are to dwell, 
why do ye here buy estates, and 

1 Angel. ^Vid. Antioch. Horn. 
Ixxvii. 3 MS. Lamb. Qui obliti estis 
Deum, et salutetn vestram. ^What 
follows should be corrected thus : Et 
qui adjicientes peccatis vestris,gravatis 
vitam vestram. ' Antioch. Horn. xv. 



provide yourselves with deli- 
cacies, and stately buildings, and 
superfluous houses ? For he that 
provides himself these things 
in this city, does not think of 
returning into his ow^n city. 

3 O foolish, and doubtful, and 
wretched man ; who understand- 
est not that all these things be- 
long to other men, and are under 
the power of another. For the 
Lord of this city saith unto thee ; 
Either obey my laws, or depart 
out of my city. 

4 What therefore shalt thou 
do who art subject to a law in 
thine own city ? Canst thou for 



(239) 



We have an abiding city III. HERMAS. in the world to come, 

thy estate, or for any of those I in your city, and shall have joy 



things which thou hast provided, 
deny thy law ? But if thou shalt 
deny it, and wilt afterwards re- 
turn into thy own city, thou shalt 
not be received, but shall be ex- 
cluded thence. 

5 See therefore, that like a man 
in another country, thou procure 
no more to thyself than what is 
necessary, and sufficient for thee ; 
and be ready, that when the God 
or Lord of this city shall drive 
thee out of it, thou may est op- 
pose his law, and go into thine 
own city; where thou may est 
with all cheerfulness live ac- 
cording to thine own law with 
no wrong. 

6 Take heed therefore ye that 
serve God, and have him in your 
hearts: work ye the works of 
God, being mindful both of his 
commands and of his promises, 
which he has promised ; and be 
assured that he will make them 
good unto you ; if ye shall keep 
his commandments. 

7 Instead therefore of the pos- 
sessions that ye would otherwise 
purchase, redeem ^ those that 
are in want from their necessities, 
as every one is able; justify the 
widows; judge the cause of the 
fatherless ; and spend your riches 
and your wealth in such works 
as these. 

8 For, for this end has God 
enriched you, that ye might ful- 
fill these kind of services. It is 
much better to do this, than to 
buy lands or houses ; because all 
such things shall perish with this 
present time. 

9 But what ye shall do for the 
name of the Lord, ye shall find 

* Souls. 



(240) 



without sadness or fear. Where- 
fore covet not the riches of the 
heathen ; for they are destructive 
to the servants of God. 

10 ^ But trade with your own 
riches which you possess, by 
which ye may attain unto ever- 
lasting joy. 

11 And do not commit adul- 
tery, nor touch any other man's 
wife, nor desire her; but covet 
that which is thy own business, 
and thou shalt be saved. 

SIMILITUDE II. 

As the vine is supported by the elm, so 
is the rich man helped by the prayers 
of the poor. 

AS I was walking into the field, 
and considered the elm and 
the vine, and thought with my- 
self of their fruits, an angel ap- 
peared unto me, and said unto 
me : What is it that thou think- 
est upon thus long within thy- 
self? 

2 And I said unto him, Sir, I 
think of this vine and this elm 
because their fruits are fair. 
And he said unto me : ^ These 
two trees are set for a pattern to 
the servants of God. 

3 And I said unto him. Sir, I 
would know in what the pattern 
of these trees which thou men- 
tionest, does consist. Hearken, 
saith he ; seest thou this vine and 
this elm? Sir, said I, I see them. 

4 This vine, saith he, is fruit- 
ful, but the elm is a tree without 
fruit. Nevertheless this vine un- 
less it were set by this elm, and 
supported by it, would not bear 
much fruit; but lying along upon 

^ MS. Lambeth. Proprias, autem 
quas habetis agite. ^ Vid, Origen. in 
Jos. Horn. X 



The rick helped by SIMILITUDE III. the prayers of the poor. 



the ground, would bear but ill 
fruit, because it did not hang 
upon the elm; whereas, being 
supported upon the elm, it bears 
fruit both for itself and for that. 

5 See, therefore, how the elm 
gives no less, but rather more 
fruit, than the vine. How, Sir, 
said I, does it bear more fruit 
than the vine ? Because, said he, 
the vine being supported upon 
the elm gives both much and 
good fruit; whereas, if it lay 
along upon the ground, it would 
bear but little, and that very ill 
too. 

6 This similitude, therefore, 
is set forth to the servants of 
God ; and it represents the rich 
and poor man. I answered, Sir, 
make this manifest unto me. 
Hear, said he ; the rich man has 
wealth ; howbeit towards the 
Lord he is poor ; for he is ' taken 
up about his riches, and prays 
but little to the Lord; and the 
prayers which he makes are lazy 
and without force. 

7 When, therefore, the rich 
man reaches out to the poor those 
things which he wants, the poor 
man prays unto the Lord for the 
rich ; and God grants unto the 
rich man all good things, because 
the poor man is rich in prayer ; 
and his requests have great 
power with the Lord. 

8 Then the rich man ministers 
all things to the poor, because he 
perceives that he is heard by the 
Lord ; and he the more willingly 
and without doubting, affords 
him what he wants, and takes 
care that nothing be lacking to 
him. 

9 And the poor man gives 

* Distracted, 



(241) 



thanks unto the Lord for the 
rich ; because they do both their 
work from the Lord. 

10 With men, therefore, the 
elm is not thought to give any 
fruit ; and they know not, neither 
understand that its company be- 
ing added to the vine, the vine 
bears a double increase, both for 
itself and for the elm. 

11 Even so the poor praying 
unto the Lord for the rich, are 
heard by him ; and their riches 
are increased, because they min- 
ister to the poor of their wealth. 
They are, therefore, both made 
partakers of each other's good 
works. 

12 Whosoever, therefore, shall 
do these things, he shall not be 
forsaken by the Lord, but shall 
be written in the book of life. 

13 Happy are they who are 
rich, and perceive themselves to 
be increased : for he that is sen- 
sible of this, will be able to min- 
ister somewhat to others. 

SIMILITUDE in. 

As the green trees in the winter cannot 
be distinguished from the dry; so 
neither can the righteous from the 
wicked in this present world. 

AGAIN he showed me many 
trees whose leaves were 
shed, and which seemed to me 
to be withered, for they were all 
alike. And he said unto me, 
Seest thou these trees? I said, 
Sir, I see that they look like dry 
trees. 

2 He answering, said unto me; 
These trees are like unto the men 
who live in the present world. I 
replied: Sir, why are they like 
unto dried trees? Because, said 
he, neither the righteous, nor un- 
righteous, are known from one 



* o 



Of green and dry leaves. III. HERMAS. 



Of believers^ fruits. 



another ; but all are alike in this 
present world. 

3 For this world is as the 
winter to the righteous men, ' be- 
cause they are not known, but 
dwell among sinners. 

4 As in the winter all the trees 
having lost their leaves, are like 
dry trees ; nor can it be discern- 
ed which are dry and which are 
green : so in this present world 
neither the righteous nor wicked, 
are discerned from each other; 
but they are all alike. 

SIMILITUDE IV. 

As in the summer the living trees are 
distinguished from the dry by their 
fruit and green leaves ; so in the 
world to com,e the righteous shall be 
distinguished from the unrighteous 
by their happiness. 

AGAIN he showed me many 
other trees, of which some 
had leaves, and others appeared 
dry and withered. And he said 
unto me, Seest thou these trees ? 
I answered, Sir, I see them ; and 
some are dry, and others full of 
leaves. 

2 These trees, saith he, which 
are green, are the righteous, 
which shall possess the world to 
come. For the world to come, is 
the summer to the righteous; 
but to sinners it is the winter. 

3 When, therefore, the mercy 
of the Lord shall shine forth, then 
they who serve God shall be 
made manifest, and plain unto 
all. For as in the summer the 
fruit of every tree is shown and 
made manifest, so also the works 
of the righteous shall be declared 
and made manifest, and they 
shall all be restored in that 
world merry and joyful. 

^ Who are. 



4 For the other ^ kind of men, 
namely the wicked, like the trees 
which thou sawest dry, shall as 
such be found dry and without 
fruit in that other world; and 
like dry wood shall be burnt; 
and it shall be made manifest 
that they have done evil all the 
time of their life ; 

5 And they shall be burnt be- 
cause they have sinned and have 
not repented of their sins. And 
also all the other nations shall be 
burnt, because they have not ac- 
knowledged God their Creator. 

6 Do thou, therefore, bring 
forth good fruit, that in the sum- 
mer thy fruit may be known; 
and keep thyself from much 
business, and thou shalt not of- 
fend. For they who are involved 
in much business, sin much ; 
because they are taken up v;ith 
their affairs, and serve not God. 

7 And how can a man that 
does not serve God, ask any thing 
of God, and receive it ? But they 
who serve him, ask and receive 
what they desire. 

8 But, if a man has only one 
thing to follow, he may serve 
God, because his mind is not 
taken off from God, but he serves 
him with a pure mind. 

9 If, therefore, thou shalt do 
this, thou mayest have fruit in 
the world to come; and all, as 
many as shall do in like manner, 
shall bring forth fruit. 

SIMILITUDE V. 

Of a true fast, and the rewards of it; 
also of the cleanliness of the body, 

AS I was fasting, and sitting 
down in a certain mountain, 
and giving thanks unto God for 
all the things that he had done 
' Nations. 



(242) 



Of a true fast, and SIMILITUDE V. 



the rewards of it 



* unto me ; behold I saw the shep- 
herd, who was wont to converse 
with me, sitting by me, and say- 
ing unto me : What has brought 
thee hither thus early in the 
morning? I answered. Sir, to-day 
I keep a ' station. 

2 He answered, What is a sta- 
tion ? I replied, it is a fast. He 
said. What is that fast? I an- 
swered, I fast, as I have been 
wont to do. Ye know not, said 
he, what it is to fast unto God ; 
nor is this a fast which ye fast, 
profiting nothing with God. 

3 Sir, said I, what makes you 
speak thus ? He replied, I speak 
it, because this is not the true 
fast which you think that you 
fast; but I will show you what 
that is which is a ^ complete fast, 
and acceptable unto God. 

4 Hearken, said he, The Lord 
does not desire such a needless 
fast : for by fasting in this man- 
ner, thou advancest nothing in 
righteousness. 

5 ' But the true fast is this : 
Do nothing wickedly in thy life, 
but serve God with a pure mind ; 
and keep his commandments, 
and walk according to his pre- 
cepts, nor suffer any wicked 
desire to enter into thy mind. 

6 But trust in the Lord, that if 
thou dost these things, and fear- 
est him, and abstainest from 
every evil work, thou shalt live 
unto God. 

7 If thou shalt do this, thou 
shalt perfect a great fast, and an 
acceptable one unto the Lord. 

8 \ Hearken unto the simil- 
itude which I am about to pro- 
pose unto thee, as to this matter. 

^With me. ^Vid. not. Coteler. in 
loc. pp. 72, 72. 'Coteler. ibid. * Jej- 
una certe verumjejunium tale. Lat. 



(243) 



9 A certain man having a farm, 
and many servants, planted a 
vineyard in a certain part of his 
estate for his posterity : 

10 And taking a journey into 
a far country, chose one of his 
servants which he thought the 
most faithful and approved, and 
delivered the vineyard into his 
care; commanding him that he 
should stake up the vines. Which 
if he did, and fulfilled his com- 
mand, he promised to give him 
his liberty. Nor did he com- 
mand him to do anything more; 
and so went into a far country. 

1 1 And after that servant had , 
taken that charge upon him; 
he did whatsoever his lord com- 
manded him. And when he had 
staked the vineyard, and found 
it to be full of weeds, he began 
to think with himself, saying: 

12 I have done what my lord 
commanded me, I will now dig 
this vineyard, and when it is 
digged, it will be more beautiful ; 
and the weeds being pulled up, 
it will bring forth more fruit and 
not be choked by the weeds. 

13 So setting about this work 
he digged it, and plucked up all 
the weeds that were in it; and 
so the vineyard became very 
beautiful and prosperous, not 
being choked with weeds. 

14 After some time the lord of 
the vineyard comes and goes into 
the vineyard, and when he saw 
that it was handsomely staked 
and digged, and the weeds pluck- 
ed up that were in it, and the 
vines flourishing, he rejoiced 
greatly at the care of his servant. 

15 And calling his son whom 
he loved, and who was to be his 
heir, and his friends with whom 



Of a true fast, and III. HERMAS. 



the rewards of it 



he was want to consult ; he tells 
them what he had commanded 
his servant to do, and what his 
servant had done more ; and they 
immediately congratulated that 
servant that he had received so 
* full a testimony from his lord. 

1 6 Then he said to them, I in- 
deed promised this servant his 
liberty, if he observed the com- 
mand which I gave him ; and he 
observed it, and besides has 
done a good work to my vine- 
yard, which has exceedingly 
pleased me. 

17 Wherefore, for this work 
which he hath done, I will make 
him my heir together with my 
son, because that when he saw 
what was good, he neglected it 
not, but did it. 

18 This design of the lord 
both his son and his friends ap- 
proved, namely, that his servant 
should be heir together with his 
son. 

19 Not long after this, the 
master of the family calling to- 
gether his friends, sent from his 
supper several kinds of food to 
that servant. 

20 Which when he had re- 
ceived, he took so much of them 
as was sufficient for himelf, and 
divided the rest among his fel- 
low servants. 

21 Which when they had re- 
ceived, they rejoiced ; and wished 
that he might find yet greater 
favor with his lord, for what he 
had done to them. 

22 When his lord heard all 
these things, he was again filled 
with great joy ; and calling again 
his friends and his son together, 
he related to them what his serv 



*Just a comtnenda*:ion. 



ant had done with the meats 
which he had sent unto him. 

23 They therefore so much the 
more assented to the master of 
the household ; that he ought to 
make that servant his heir to- 
gether with his son. 

24 T I said unto him, Sir, I 
know not these similitudes, nei- 
ther can I understand them, un- 
less you expound them unto me. 
I will, says he, expound all 
things unto thee whatsoever I 
have talked with thee, or shewn 
unto thee. 

25 Keep the commandments of 
the Lord and thou shalt be ap- 
proved, and shalt be written in 
the number of those that keep 
his commandments. But if be- 
sides those things which the 
Lord hath commanded, thou 
shalt add some good thing ; thou 
shalt purchase to thyself a great- 
er dignity, and be in more favor 
with the Lord than thou shouldst 
otherwise have been. 

26 If therefore thou shalt keep 
the commandments of the Lord, 
and shalt add to them these sta- 
tions, thou shalt rejoice ; but 
especially if thou shalt keep them 
according to my commands. 

27 I said unto him, Sir, what- 
soever thou shalt command me, 
I will observe ; for I know that 
thou wilt be with me. I will, 
said he, be with thee, who hast 
taken up such a resolution ; and 
I will be with all those who 
purpose in like manner. 

28 This fast, saith he, whilst 
thou dost a.lso observe the com- 
mand ments of the Lord, is ex- 
ceeding^ good. Thus therefore 
shalt thou keep it. 

29 First of all, take heed to 
(244) 



and of cleanliness 



SIMILITUDE V. 



of the body. 



thyself, and keep thyself from 
every 'wicked act, and from 
every filthy word, and from every 
hurtful desire ; and purify thy 
mind from all the vanity of this 
present world. If thou shalt ob- 
serve these things, this fast shall 
be right. 

30 Thus therefore do. Having 
performed what is before written, 
that day on which thou fastest 
thou shalt taste nothing at all 
but ^ bread and water ; ' and com- 
puting the quantity of food w^hich 
thou art want to eat upon other 
days, thou shalt '^ lay aside the 
expense which thou shouldest 
have made that day, and give 
it unto the widow, the fatherless, 
and the poor. 

31 ^And thus thou shalt per- 
fect the humiliation of thy soul ; 
that he w^ho receives of it may 
satisfy his soul, and his prayer 
come up to the Lord God for thee. 

32 If therefore thou shalt thus 
accomplish thy fast, as I com- 
mand thee, thy sacrifice shall be 
acceptable unto the Lord, and 
thy fast shall be written in his 
book. 

33 This station, thus perform- 
ed, is good and pleasing and ac- 
ceptable unto the Lord. These 
things if thou shalt observe with 
thy children and with all thy 
house, thou shalt be happy. 

34 And whosoever, when they 
hear these things, shall do them, 
they also shall be happy; and 
whatsoever they shall ask of the 
Lord they shall receive it. 

35 And I prayed him that he 
would expound unto me the 

* Shameful : or, upbraiding. ' Vid. 
Not. Coteler. ii., p. 74. A, B. C. ^ Vid. 
Antioch. Horn. vii. 



similitude of the farm, and the 
Lord, and of the vineyard, and 
of the servant that had staked 
the vineyard ; and of the weeds 
that were plucked out of the 
vineyard; and of his son and 
his friends which he took into 
council with him. For I under- 
stand that that was a similitude. 

36 He said unto me. Thou art 
very bold in asking: for thou 
oughtest not to ask any thing ; 
because if it be fitting to show it 
unto thee, it shall be showed un- 
to thee. 

37 I answered him ; Sir, what- 
soever thou shalt shew me, 
without explaining it unto me, I 
shall in vain see it, if I do not 
understand what it is. And if 
thou shalt propose any simili- 
tudes, and not expound them, I 
shall in vain hear them. 

38 He answered me again, 
saying : Whosoever is the servant 
of God, and has the Lord in his 
heart, he desires understanding 
of him, and receives it ; and he 
explains every similitude, and 
understands the words of the 
Lord which need an inquiry. 

39 But they that are lazy and 
slow to pray, doubt to seek from 
the Lord : although the Lord be 
of such an extraordinary good- 
ness, that without ceasing he 
giveth all things to them that 
ask of him. 

40 Thou therefore who art 
strengthened by that venerable 
messenger, and hast received 
such a powerful gift of prayer; 
seeing thou art not slothful, why 
dost thou not now ask under- 
standing of the Lord, and re- 
ceive it? 



(a45) 



41 I said unto him; seeing I 



Of cleanliness 



III. HERMAS. 



of the body. 



have thee present, it is necessary 
that I should seek it of thee, and 
ask thee; for thou shewest all 
things unto me, and speakest to 
me when thou art present. 

42 But if I should see or hear 
these things when thou wert not 
present, I would then ask the 
Lord that he would shew them 
unto me. 

43 \ And he replied, I said a 
little before that thou wert subtle 
and bold, in that thou asketh the 
meaning of these similitudes. 

44 But because thou still per- 
sistest ; I will unfold to thee this 
parable which thou desirest, that 
thou mayest make it known 
unto all men. 

45 Hear, therefore, said he, and 
understand. The farm before 
mentioned denotes the whole 
earth. The Lord of the farm is 
he, who created and finished all 
things; and gave virtue unto 
them. 

46 His son is the Holy Spirit : 
the servant is the Son of God : 
the vineyard is the people whom 
he saves. The stakes are the 
^messengers which are set over 
them by the Lord, to support his 
people. The weeds that are 
plucked up out of the vineyard, 
are the sins which the servants 
of God had committed. 

47 The food which he sent 
him from his supper, are the 
commands which he gave to his 
people by his Son. The friends 
whom he called to counsel with 
him, are the holy angels whom 
he first created. The absence of 
the master of the household, is 
the time that remains unto his 
coming. 

^ Angels. 



48 I said unto him. Sir, all 
these things are very excellent, 
and wonderful, and good. But 
continued I, could I or any other 
man besides, though never so 
wise, have understood these 
things ? 

49 Wherefore now, sir, tell me, 
what I ask. He replied, ask me 
what thou wilt. Why, said I, is 
the Son of God in this parable, 
put in the place of a servant ? 

50 Hearken, he said ; the Son 
of God is not put in the condi- 
tion of a servant, but in great 
power and authority. I said 
unto him, how, sir? I under- 
stand it not. 

51 Because, said he, the Son 
set his 'messengers over those 
whom the Father delivered unto 
him, to keep every one of them ; 
but he himself labored very 
much, and suffered much, that 
he might blot out their of- 
fences. 

52 For no vineyard can be dig- 
ged without much labor and 
pains. Wherefore having blotted 
out the sins of his people, he 
shewed to them the paths of life, 
giving them the law which he 
had received of the Father. 

53 You see, said he, that he is 
the Lord of his people, having 
received all power from his Fa- 
ther. "^ But why the Lord did 
take his son into counsel, about 

^ Angels. 2 This place which in all 
the editions of Hermas is wretchedly- 
corrupted, by the collation of editions 
and MSS. is thus corrected by Dr. 
Grabe : " Quaere autem Dominus in 
consilio adhibuerit, filium de haerivi- 
fate, honestosque nuncios, audi; Spir- 
itum Sanctum, qui creatus est omnium 
primus, in corpore, in quo habitaret 
Deus, collocavit ; in delecto scilicet 
corpore quod ei videbatur." 



(246) 



Of cleanliness 



SIMILITUDE VI. 



of the body. 



dividing the inheritance, and the I Spirit which shall dwell in it may 



good angels, hear now 

54 That ' Holy Spirit, which 
was created first of all, he placed 
in the body in which God should 
dwell ; namely, in a chosen body, 
as it seemed good to him. This 
body therefore into which the 
' Holy Spirit was brought, serv- 
ed that Spirit, walking rightly 
and purely in modesty ; nor ever 
defiled that Spirit. 

55 Seeing therefore the body 
at all times obeyed the Holy 
Spirit, and labored rightly and 
chastely with him, nor faltered at 
any time ; that body being wea- 
ried conversed indeed servilely, 
but being mightily approved to 
God with the Holy Spirit, was 
accepted by him. 

56 For such a stout course 
pleased God, because he was not 
defiled in the earth, keeping the 
Holy Spirit. He called therefore 
to counsel his Son, and the good 
angels, that there might be some 
place of standing given to this 
body which had served the Holy 
Spirit without blame; lest it 
should seem to have lost the re- 
ward of its service. 

57 For every pure body shall 
receive its reward ; that is found 
without spot, in which the Holy 
Spirit has been appointed to 
dwell. And thus you have now 
the exposition of this parable 
also. 

58 Sir, said I, I now under- 
stand your meaning, since I have 
heard this exposition. Hearken 
farther, said he: keep this thy 
body clean and pure, that the 



bear witness unto it, and be judg- 
ed to have been with thee. 

59 Also take heed that it be 
not instilled into thy mind that 
this body perishes, and thou 
abuse it to any lust. For if thou 
shalt defile thy body, thou shalt 
also at the same time defile the 
Holy Spirit; and if thou shalt 
defile ' the Holy Spirit, thou shalt 
not live. 

60 And I said. What if through 
ignorance this should have been 
already committed, before a man 
heard these words ; How can he 
attain unto salvation, who has 
thus defiled his body ? 

61 He replied. As for men's 
former actions, which through 
ignorance they have committed, 
God only can afford a remedy 
unto them ; for all power belong- 
eth unto him. 

62 But now guard thyself ; and 
seeing God is almighty and mer- 
ciful, he will grant a remedy to 
what thou hast formerly done 
amiss, if for the time to come 
thou shalt not defile thy body 
and spirit: 

63 For they are companions 
together, and the one cannot be 
defiled but the other will be so 
too. Keep therefore both of 
them pure, and thou shalt live 
unto God. 



» Viz. the created Spirit of Christ, as 
man ; not the Holy Ghost, the Third 
Person of the sacred Trinity. 



SIMILITUDE VI. 

Of two sorts of voluptuous men, and 
of their death, defection, and of the 
continuance of their pains. 

AS I was sitting at home, and 
praising God for all the 
things which I had seen; and 
was thinking concerning the 

' Thy body, according to some cop- 
ies. 
(247) 



Of two sorts of 



III. HERMAS. 



commands, that they were ex- 
ceeding good, and great, and 
honest, and pleasant ; and such 
as were able to bring a man to 
salvation ; I said thus within my- 
self : I shall be happy if I shall 
walk according to these com- 
mands, and whosoever shall 
walk in them shall live unto 
God. 

2 Whilst I was speaking on 
this wise within myself, I saw 
him whom I had before been 
wont to see, sitting by me; and 
he spake thus unto me : 

3 What doubtest thou con- 
cerning my commands which I 
have delivered unto thee? They 
are good, doubt not, but trust in 
the Lord, and thou shalt walk in 
them. For I will give thee 
strength ' to fulfill them. 

4 These commands are pro- 
fitable to those who shall repent 
of those sins which they have 
formerly committed; if for the 
time to come they shall not con- 
tinue in them. 

5 Whosoever therefore ye be 
that repent, cast away from you 
the naughtiness of the present 
world ; and put on all virtue, and 
righteousness, and so shall ye 
be able to keep these commands ; 
and not sin from henceforth any 
more. 

6 For if ye shall keep your- 
selves from sin for the time to 
come, ye shall cut off a great 
deal of your former sins. Walk 
in my commands, and ye shall 
live unto God: These things 
have I spoken unto you. 

7 And when he had said this, 
he added: let us go into the 
field, and I will show thee shep- 

*In them. 



voluptuous men. 



(a4^ 



herds of sheep. I replied, Sir, let 
us go. 

8 And we came into a certain 
field, and there he showed me a 
young shepherd, ' finely arrayed, 
with his garments of a purple 
color. And he fed large flocks; 
and his sheep were full of 
pleasure, and in much delight 
and cheerfulness ; and they skip- 
ping, ran here and there. 

9 And the shepherd took very 
great satisfaction in his flock; 
and the countenance of that 
shepherd was cheerful, running 
up and down among his flock. 

10 T Then the angel said unto 
me, Seest thou this shepherd ? I 
answered. Sir, I see him. He 
said unto me, this is the ' mes- 
senger of delight and pleasure. 
He therefore corrupts the minds 
of the servants of God, and 
turns them from the truth, de- 
lighting them with many pleas- 
ures, and they perish. 

11 For they forget the com- 
mands of the living God, and 
live in luxury and in vain pleas- 
ures, and are corrupted by the 
evil angel, some of them even 
unto death; and others to 'a 
falling away. 

12 I replied : I understand not 
what you mean, by saying unto 
death, and to a falling away. 
Hear, says he: all those sheep 
which thou sawest exceeding 
'joyful, are such as have for 
ever departed from God, and • 
given themselves up to the 'lusts 
of this present time. 

13 To these therefore there is 
^^.r^^^^Z^' ^y repentance, unto 

T . '1%^^''^^''''^; ^^^' * Exultantia. 
i-at. »ln Cxr. Athanas. entdvuiaLc tov 



Of two sorts of 



SIMILITUDE VI. 



volupttwus fnen. 



life ; because that to their other 
sins they have added this, that 
they have blasphemed the name 
of the Lord. These kind of men 
are ordained unto death. 

14 But those sheep which 
thou sawest not leaping, but 
feeding in one place, are such as 
have indeed given themselves up 
to pleasure and delights ; but 
have not spoken anything wick- 
edly against the Lord. 

15 These therefore are only 
fallen off from the truth, and so 
have yet hope laid up for them 
in repentance. For such a falling 
off hath some hope still left of a 
renewal ; but they that are dead, 
are utterly gone for ever. 

16 Again we went a little 
farther forward ; and he showed 
me a great ^ shepherd, who had 
as it were a rustic figure ; clad 
with a white goat's skin, having 
his bag upon his shoulder, and 
in his hand a stick full of knots, 
and very hard, and a whip in his 
other hand ; and his countenance 
was stern and sour; enough to 
affright a man; such was his 
look. 

17 He took from that young 
shepherd such sheep as lived in 
pleasures, but did not skip up 
and down ; and drove them into 
a certain steep craggy place full 
of thorns and briars, insomuch 
that they could not get them- 
selves free from them : 

18 But being entangled in 
them fed upon thorns and briars, 
and were grievously tormented 
with his whipping. For he still 
drove them on, and afforded them 
not any place, or time, to stand 
still. 

^Agrestem. Lat. 



19 T[ When therefore I saw 
them so cruelly whipped and 
afflicted, I was grieved for them ; 
because they were greatly tor- 
mented, nor had they any rest 
afforded them. 

20 And I said unto the shep- 
herd that was with me : Sir, who 
is this cruel and implacable 
shepherd, who is moved with no 
compassion towards these sheep ? 
He answered, ^ This shepherd is 
indeed one of the ^ holy angels, 
but is appointed for the punish- 
ment of sinners. 

21 To him therefore are de- 
livered those who have erred 
from God, and served the lusts 
and pleasures of this world. For 
this cause he punishes them 
every one according to their de- 
serts, with cruel and various 
kinds of pains. 

22 Sir, said I, I would know, 
what kind of pains they are 
which every one undergoes? 
Hearken, said he; The several 
pains and torments are those 
which men every day undergo 
in their present lives. For some 
suffer losses ; others poverty ; 
others divers sicknesses. Some 
are unsettled ; others suffer in- 
juries from those that are un- 
worthy ; others fall under many 
other trials and inconveniences. 

23 For many with an unsettled 
design aim at many things, and 
it profiteth them not ; and they 
say that they have not success 
in their undertakings. 

24 ^ They do not call to their 
mind what they have done amiss, 

* Vid. Origen. in Psalm xxxvi. Horn. 
I. 2 Righteous. In Gr. Athanas. e/c 
rwv kyyeXuv tuv diKaiuv egtl^ &C. et sic 
MS. Lamb. ^ MS. Lamb. Succurrit 
iis : Gr. Athanas. e yivoaKcai, 



(249) 



and of their death 



III. HERMAS. 



and defection. 



and they complain of the Lord. 
When therefore they shall have 
undergone all kind of vexation 
and inconvenience; then they 
are delivered over to me for 
good instruction, and are con- 
firmed in the Faith of the Lord, 
and serve the Lord all the rest 
of their days with a pure mind. 

25 And when they begin to 
repent of their sins, then they 
call to mind their works which 



ment. I said unto him ; Sir, if I 
understood it, I would not desire 
you to tell me. 

31 Hearken, said he, and learn 
what the force of both is, both of 
the pleasure and of the punish- 
ment. An hour of pleasure is 
terminated within its own space : 
but one hour of punishment has 
the efficacy of thirty days. ^ Who- 
soever therefore enjoys his false 
pleasure for one day, and is one 



they have done amiss, and give day tormented ; that one day of 

honor to God, saying. That he is punishment is equivalent to a 

a just Judge, and they have de- whole year's space, 

servedly suffered all things ac- 32 Thus look how many days 

cording to their deeds. an}^ one pursues his pleasures, so 



26 Then for what remains of 
their lives, they serve God with 
a pure mind ; and have success 
in all their undertakings, and re- 
ceive from the Lord whatever 
they desire. 

27 And then they give thanks 
unto the Lord that they were de- 
livered unto me; nor do they 
suffer any more cruelty. 

28 T" I said unto him; Sir, I 
intreat you still to show me now 
one thing. What, said he, dost 
thou 'ask? I said unto him; 
Are they who depart from the 



many years is he punished for it. 
You see therefore how that the 
time of worldly enjoyments is 
but short ; but that of pain and 
torments, a great deal more. 

33 I replied ; Sir, forasmuch as 
I do not understand ^ at all these 
times of pleasure and pain ; I in- 
treat you that you would explain 
yourself more clearly concerning 
them. He answered me, saying; 
Th}^ foolishness still sticks unto 
thee. 

34 Shouldst thou not rather 
purify thy mind, and serve God ? 



fear of God, tormented for the Take heed, lest when thy time i? 
same time that they enjoyed their fulfilled, thou be found still un- 
false delight and pleasures ? He wise. Hear then, as thou desir- 



answered me ; They are torment- 
ed for the same time. 

29 And I said unto him ; They 
are then tormented but little ; 
whereas they 
pleasures so as 

ought to endure seven times as 
much punishment. 

30 He answered me ; Thou art 
foolish, neither understandest 
thou the efficacy of this punish- 

^ MS. Lamb. Inquiris. 



est, that thou mayest the more 
easily understand. 

35 He that gives himself up 
one day to his pleasures and de- 

who enjoy their lights, and does whatsoever his 

to forget God, ' soul desires, is full of great folly, 

nor understands what he does, 

but the day following forgets 

what he did the day before. 

36 For delight and worldl}' 

^ Origen, in Num. Horn. viii. *MS. 
Lamb. Omnino. 



(250) 



Of voluptuous men. SIMILITUDE VII. The repentant must 



pleasure are not kept in memory, 
by reason of the folly that is 
rooted in them. But when pain 
and torment befall a man a day, 
he is in effect troubled the whole 
year after; because his punish- 
ment continues firm in his 
memory. 

37 Wherefore he remembers it 
with sorrow the whole year ; and 
then calls to mind his vain pleas- 
ure and delight, and perceives 
that for the sake of that he was 
punished. 

38 Whosoever therefore have 
delivered themselves over to such 
pleasures, are thus punished ; be- 
cause that when they had life, 
they rendered themselves liable 
to death. 

39 I said unto him ; Sir, what 
pleasures are hurtful? He an- 
swered ; That is pleasure to every 
man which he doth willingly. 

40 For the angry man, gratify- 
ing his passion, perceives pleas- 
ure in it ; and so the adulterer, 
and drunkard ; the slanderer and 
liar ; the covetous man and the 
defrauder; and whosoever com- 
mits anything like unto these, 
because he ^ follow eth his evil 
disposition, he receives a satis- 
faction in the doing of it. 

41 All these pleasures and de- 
lights are hurtful to the servants 
of God. For these therefore they 
are tormented and suffer punish- 
ment. 

42 There are also pleasures 
that bring salvation unto men. 
For many, when they do what is 
good, find pleasure in it, and are 
attracted by the delights of it. 

43 Now this pleasure is profit- 
able to the servants of God, and 

* Obeyeth his disease. 



(251) 



brings life to such men ; but 
those hurtful pleasures, which 
were before mentioned, bring 
torments and punishment. 

44 And whosoever shall con- 
tinue in them, and shall not re- 
pent of what they have done, 
shall bring death upon them- 
selves. 

SIMILITUDE VIL 

That they who repent, must bring 
forth fruits worthy of repentance. 

AFTER a few days I saw the 
same person that before 
talked with me, in the same field, 
in which I had seen those shep- 
herds. And he said unto me; 
What seekest thou ? 

2 Sir, said I, I came to intreat 
you that you would command the 
shepherd, who is the minister of 
punishment, to depart out of my 
house, because he greatly afflicts 
me. 

3 And he answered. It is nec- 
essary for thee to endure incon- 
veniences and vexations ; for so 
that good angel hath command- 
ed concerning thee, because he 
would try thee. 

4 Sir, said I ; What so great 
offence have I committed, that I 
should be delivered to this 'mes- 
senger ? Hearken, said he : Thou 
art indeed guilty of many sins, 
yet not so many that thou should- 
est be delivered to this ^ messen- 
ger. 

5 But thy house hath commit- 
ted many sins and offences, and 
therefore that good * messenger 
being grieved at their doings 
commanded that for some time 
thou shouldst suffer affliction; 
that they may both repent of 
what they have done, and may 

* Angel. 



bring forth /> uits. 



III. HERMAS. 



Of the elect 



wash themselves from all the 
lusts of this present world. 

6 When therefore they shall 
have repented, and be purified, 
then that messenger which is ap- 
pointed over thy punishment, 
shall depart from thee. 

7 I said unto him ; Sir, if they 
have behaved themselves so as to 
anger that good angel, yet what 
have I done? He answered: 
They cannot otherwise be afflict- 
ed, unless thou, who art the head 
of the family, suffer. 

8 For whatsoever thou shalt 
suffer, they must needs feel it : 
but as long as thou shalt stand 
well established, they cannot ex- 
perience any vexation. 

9 I replied: But, Sir, behold 
they also now repent with all 
their hearts. I know, says he, 
that they repent with all their 
hearts; but dost thou therefore 
think that their offences who 
repent, are immediately blotted 
out? 

10 No, they are not presently ; 
but he that repents must afflict 
his soul and shew himself humble 
in all his affairs, and undergo 
many and divers vexations. 

11 And when he shall have 
suffered all things that were ap- 
pointed for him ; then perhaps he 
that made him, and formed all 
things besides, will be moved 
with compassion towards him, 
and afford him some remedy ; and 
especially if he shall perceive 
his heart, who repents, to be 
pure from every evil work. 

12 But at present it is ex- 
pedient for thee, and for thy 
house, to be grieved ; and it is 
needful that thou shouldest en- 
dure much vexation, as the angel 



(852) 



of the Lord who committed thee 
unto me, has commanded. 

13 Rather give thanks unto 
the Lord, that knowing what was 
to come, he thought thee worthy 
to whom he should foretell that 
trouble was coming upon thee, 
who art able to bear it. 

14 I said unto him; Sir, be 
but thou also with me, and I 
shall easily undergo any trouble. 
I will, said he, be with thee ; and 
I will entreat the messenger who 
is set over thy punishment, that 
he would moderate his afflictions 
towards thee. 

15 And moreover thou shalt 
suffer adversity but for a little 
time; and then thou shalt again 
be restored to thy former state; 
only continue on in the humility 
of thy mind. 

1 6 Obey the Lord with a pure 
heart ; thou, and thy house, and 
thy children ; and walk in the 
commands which I have deliver- 
ed unto thee; and then thy re- 
pentance may be firm and pure. 

17 And if thou shalt keep 
these things with thy house, thy 
inconveniences shall depart from 
thee. 

18 And all vexation shall in 
like manner depart from all 
those, whosoever shall walk ac- 
cording to these demands. 

SIMILITUDE VIIL 

That there are many kinds of elect, 
and of repenting sinners: and how 
all of them shall receive a reward 
proportionable to the measure oj 
their repentance and good works. 

AGAIN he shewed me a wil- 
low which covered the fields 
and the mountains, under whose 
shadow came all such as were 
called by the name of the Lord. 



Of the elect 



SIMILITUDE VIII. and the repentant, 



2 And by that willow stood in like manner placed by them- 



an angel of the Lord very ex- 
cellent and lofty ; and did cut 
down boughs from that willow 
with a great hook ; and reached 
out to the people that were under 
the shadow of that willow little 
rods, as it were about a foot 
long. 

3 And when all of them had 
taken them, he laid aside his 
hook, and the tree continued en- 
tire, as I had before seen it. At 
which I wondered, and mused 
within myself. 

4 Then that shepherd said 
unto me; Forbear to wonder 
that that tree continues whole, 
notwithstanding so many boughs 
have been cut off from it : but 
stay a little, for now it shall be 
shewn thee, what that angel 
means, who gave those rods to 
the people. 

5 So he again demanded the 
rods of them; and in the same 
order that every one had re- 
ceived them, was he called to 
him, and restored his rod ; which 
when he had received, he ex- 
amined them. 

6 From some he received them 
dry and rotten, and as it were 
touched with the moth; those 
he commanded to be separated 
from the rest, and placed by them- 
selves. Others gave in their rods 
dry indeed, but not touched with 
the moth : these also he ordered 
to be set by themselves. 

7 Others gave in their rods 
half dry; these also were set 
apart. Others gave in their rods, 
half dry; and cleft; these too 
were set by themselves. Others 
brought in their rods, half dry 
and half green, and these were 



selves. 

8 Others delivered up their 
rods two parts green, and the 
third dry ; and they too were set 
apart. Others brought their rods 
two parts dry, and the third 
green ; and were also placed by 
themselves. 

9 Others delivered up their 
rods less dry, (for there was but 
a very little, to wit, their tops 
dry) but they had clefts, and 
these were set in like manner by 
themselves. In the rods of others 
there was but a little green, and 
the rest dry ; and these were set 
aside by themselves. 

10 Others came, and brought 
their rods green as they had re- 
ceived them, and the greatest 
part of the people brought their 
rods thus; and the messenger 
greatly rejoiced at these, and 
they also were put apart by them- 
selves. 

11 Others brought in their 
rods not only green, but full of 
branches; and these were set 
aside, being also received by the 
angel with great joy. Others 
brought their rods green with 
branches, and those also some 
fruit upon them. 

12 They who had such rods, 
were very cheerful; and the 
angel himself took great joy at 
them ; nor was the shepherd that 
stood with me, less pleased with 
them. 

13 Tf Then the angel of the 
Lord commanded crowns to be 
brought: and the crowns were 
brought made of palms; and 
the angel crowned those men 
in whose rods he found the 
young branches with fruit; and 



(253) 



and of 



III. HERMAS. 



their rewards. 



commanded them to go into the 
tower. 

14 He also sent those into the 
tower, in whose rods he found 
branches without fruit, giving a 
seal unto them. For they had 
the same garment, that is, one 
white as snow ; with which he 
bade them go into the tower. 
And so he did to those who re- 
turned their rods green as 
they received them ; giving them 
a white garment, and so sent 
them away to go into the tower. 

15 Having done this, he said 
to the shepherd that was with 
me, I go my way ; but do thou 
send these within the walls, 
every one into the place in which 
he has deserved to dwell; ex- 
amining first their rods, but ex- 
amine them diligently that no 
one deceive thee. But and if 
any one shall escape thee, I will 
try them upon the altar. Hav- 
ing said this to the shepherd, he 
departed. 

16 After he was gone, the 
shepherd said unto me: Let us 
take the rods from them, and 
plant them; if perchance they 
may grow green again. I said 
unto him; Sir, how can those 
dry rods ever grow green again ? 

17 He answered me ; That tree 
is a willow, and always loves to 
live. If therefore these rods 
shall be planted, and receive a 
little moisture, many of them 
will recover themselves. 

18 Wherefore I will try, and 
will pour water upon them, and 
if any of them can live, I will re- 
joice with them; but if not, at 
least by this means I shall be 
found not to have neglected my 
part 



(254) 



19 Then he commanded me to 
call them ; and they all came un- 
to him, every one in the rank in 
which he stood, and gave him 
their rods ; which having receiv- 
ed, he planted every one of them 
in their several orders. 

20 And after he had planted 
them all, he poured much water 
upon them, insomuch that they 
were covered with water, and did 
not appear above it. Then when 
he had watered them, he said 
unto me ; Let us depart, and after 
a little time we will return and 
visit them. 

21 For he who created this 
tree, would have all those live 
that received rods from it. And 
I hope, now that these rods are 
thus watered, many of them, re- 
ceiving in the moisture, will 
recover. 

22 T I said unto him, Sir, tell 
me what this tree denotes ? For 
I am greatly ' astonished, that 
after so many branches have been 
cut off, it seems still to be whole ; 
nor does there any thing the less 
of it appear to remain, which 
greatly amazes me. 

23 He answ^ered. Hearken. 
This great tree which covers the 
plains and the mountains, and 
all the earth, is the law of God, 
published throughout the whole 
world. 

24 Now ^ this law is the Son 
of God, who is preached to all 
the ends of the earth. The peo- 
ple that stand under its shadow, 
are those which have heard his 
preaching, and believed. 

25 The great and venerable an- 
gel which you saw, was Michael, 

^ Moved. 2 MS. Lamb. Haec autem 
lex Filius Dei est, praedicatus, &c. 



Of the elect 



SIMILITUDE VIII. and the repentant. 



who has the power over his 
people, and governs them. For 
he has planted the law in the 
hearts of those who have believ- 
ed : and therefore he visits them 
to whom he has given the law, 
to see if they have kept it. 

26 And he examines every 
one's rod; and of those, many 
that are weakened : for those rods 
are the law of the Lord. Then 
he discerns all those who have 
not kept the law, knowing the 
place of every one of them. 

27 I said unto him, Sir, why 
did he send away some to the 
tower, and left others here to you? 
He replied, those who have trans- 
gressed the law, which they re- 
ceived from him, are left in my 
power, that they may repent of 
their sins : but they who ' fulfill- 
ed the law and kept it, are under 
his power. 

28 But who then, said I, are 
those, who went into the tower 
crowned ? He replied, all such as 
having striven with the devil, 
have overcome him, are crowned : 
and they are those, who have 
suffered hard things, that they 
might keep the law. 

29 But they who gave up their 
rods green, and with young 
branches, but without fruit, have 
indeed endured trouble for the 
same law, but have not suffered 
death ; neither have they denied 
their holy law. 

30 They who delivered up 
their rods green as they received 
them, are those who were modest 
and just, and have lived with a 
very pure mind, and kept the 
commandments of God. 

31 The rest thou shalt know, 

* Satisfied. 



when I shall have considered 
those rods which I have planted 
and watered. 

32 T^ After a few days we re- 
turned, and in the same place 
stood that glorious angel, and I 
stood by him. Then he said un- 
to me : Gird thyself with a 
^ towel, and serve me. 

33 And I girded myself with 
a clean towel, which was made 
of coarse cloth. And when he 
saw me girded, and ready to min- 
ister unto him, he said. Call those 
men whose rods have been plant- 
ed, every one in his order as he 
gave them. 

34 And he brought me into 
the field, and I called them all, 
and they all stood ready in their 
several ranks. Then he said 
unto them ; let every one pluck 
up his rod, and bring it unto me. 
And first they delivered theirs, 
whose rods had been dry and 
rotten. 

35 And those whose rods still 
continued so, he commanded to 
stand apart. Then they came 
whose rods had been dry but not 
rotten. Some of these delivered 
in their rods green ; others dry 
and rotten, as if they had been 
touched by the moth. 

36 Those who gave them up 
green, he commanded to stand 
apart ; but those whose rods were 
dry and rotten, he caused to stand 
with the first sort. Then came 
they whose rods had been half 
dry, and cleft: many of these 
gave up their rods green, and 
uncleft. 

37 Others delivered them up 
green with branches, and fruit 

' Sabano. Vid. Edit. Oxon. p. 129, 
not. d. 



(255) 



and of 



III. HERMAS. 



their rewards. 



upon the branches, like unto 
theirs who went crowned into the 
tower. Others delivered them 
up dry, but not rotten ; and some 
gave them up as they were be- 
fore, half dry, and cleft. 

38 Every one of these he or- 
dered to stand apart; some by 
themselves, others in their re- 
spective ranks. 

39 Then came they whose rods 
had been green, but cleft. These 
delivered their rods altogether 
green, and stood in their own 
order. And the shepherd rejoic- 
ed at these, because they were 
all changed, and free from their 
clefts. 

40 Then they gave in their 
rods, who had them half green 
and half dry. Of these some 
were found wholly green, others 
half dry; others green, with 
young shoots. And all these 
were sent away, every one to his 
proper rank. 

41 Then they gave up their 
rods, who had them before two 
parts green, and the third dry. 
Many of those gave in their rods 
green ; many half dry ; the rest 
dry but not rotten. So these 
were sent away, each to his 
proper place. 

42 Then came they who had 
before their rods two parts dry 
and the third green; many of 
these delivered up their rods half 
dry, others dry and rotten ; others 
half dry and cleft ; but few green. 
And all these were set every one 
in his own rank. 

43 Then they reached in their 
rods, ' in which there was before 
but a little green, and the rest 

* MS. Lamb. Minimum habuerant 
viride. 



dry. Their rods were for the 
most part found green, having 
little boughs, with fruit upon 
them: and the rest altogether 
green. 

44 And the shepherd upon 
sight of these rejoiced exceed- 
ingly, because he had found 
them thus; and they also went 
to their proper orders. 

45 T" Now after he had ex- 
amined all their rods, he said 
unto me, I told thee that this 
tree loved life : thou seest how 
many have repented, and attain- 
ed unto salvation. Sir, said I, 
I see it. 

46 That thou mightest know, 
saith he, that the goodness and 
mercy of the Lord is great, and 
to be had in honor ; who gave his 
spirit to them that were found 
worthy of repentance. 

47 I answered. Sir, why then 
did not all of them repent ? He 
replied. Those, whose minds the 
Lord foresaw would be pure, and 
that they would serve him with 
all their hearts, to them he gave 
repentance. 

48 But for those w^hose deceit 
and wickedness he beheld, and 
perceived that they would not 
truly return unto him ; to them 
he denied any return unto re- 
pentance, lest they should again 
blaspheme his law with wicked 
words. 

49 I said unto him ; Now, Sir, 
make know unto me, what is the 
place of every one of those, who 
have given up their rods, and 
what their ^portion; that when 
they may have not kept their 
seal entire, but have wasted the 
seal which they received, shall 

i Seat. 



(256) 



Of the elect 



SIMILITUDE VIII. and the repentant, 



hear and believe these things, 
they may acknowledge their evil 
deeds and repent ; 

50 And receiving again their 
seal from you, may give glory to 
God, that he was moved with 
compassion towards them, and 
sent you to renew their spirits. 

51 Hearken, said he: they 
whose rods have been found dry 
and rotten, and as it were touch- 
ed with the moth; are the de- 
serters and the betrayers of the 
church. 

52 Who with the rest of their 
crimes, have also blasphemed the 
Lord, and denied his name which 
had been called upon them. 
Therefore all these are dead unto 
God : and thou seest that none 
of them have repented, although 
they have heard my commands 
which thou hast delivered unto 
them. From these men there- 
fore life is far distant. 

53 They also who have de- 
livered up their rods dry, but not 
rotten, have not been far from 
them. For they have been coun- 
terfeits, and brought in evil 
doctrines; and have perverted 
the servants of God: but espe- 
cially those who had sinned; 
not suffering them to return un- 
to repentance, but keeping them 
back by their false doctrines. 

54 These therefore have hope ; 
and thou seest that many of them 
have repented, since the time 
that thou hast laid my commands 
before them; and many more 
will yet repent. But they, that 
shall not repent, shall lose both 
repentance and life. 

55 But they that have repent- 
ed, their place is begun to be 
within the first walls, and some 



(257) 



of them are even gone into the 
tower. Thou seest therefore, 
said he, that in the repentance 
of sinners there is life; but for 
those who repent not, death is 
prepared. 

56 \ Hear now concerning 
those who gave in their rods 
half dry, and full of clefts. Those 
whose rods were only half dry, 
are the doubtful; for they are 
neither living nor dead. 

57 But they who delivered in 
their rods, not only half dry but 
also full of clefts, are both doubt- 
ful and evil speakers ; who de- 
tract from those that are absent, 
and have never peace among 
themselves, and that envy one 
another. 

58 Howbeit to those also re- 
pentance is offered; for thou 
seest that some of these have 
repented. 

59 Now all those of this kind 
who have quickly repented, shall 
have a place in the tower ; but 
they who have been more slow 
in their repentance, shall dwell 
within the walls ; but they that 
shall not repent, but shall con- 
tinue on in their wicked doings, 
shall die the death. 

60 As for those who had their 
rods green, but yet cleft; they 
are such as were always faithful 
and good, but they had some 
envy and strife among them- 
selves concerning dignity and 
pre-eminence. 

61 Now all such as are vain 
and without understanding, as 
contend with one another about 
these things. 

62 Nevertheless, seeing they 
are otherwise good, if when they 
shall hear these commands they 



and of 



III. HERMAS. 



their rewards. 



shall amend themselves, and shall 
at my persuasion suddenly re- 
pent ; they shall at last dwell in 
the tower, as they who have 
truly and worthily repented. 

63 But if any one shall again 
return to his dissension ; he shall 
be shut out from the tower, and 
shall lose his life. For the life 
of those who keep the command- 
ments of the Lord, consists in do- 
ing what they are commanded; 
not in principality, or in any 
other dignity. 

64 For by forbearance and hu- 
mility of mind, men shall attain 
unto life; but by seditions, and 
contempt of the law, they shall 
purchase death unto themselves. 

65 Tf They who in their rods 
had half dry and half green, are 
those who are engaged in many 
affairs of the world, and are not 
joined to the saints. For which 
cause half of them liveth, and 
half is dead. 

66 Wherefore many of these 
since the time that they have 
heard my commands, have re- 
pented, and begun to dwell in the 
tower. But some of them have 
wholly fallen away ; to these 
there is no more place for re- 
pentance. 

67 For by reason of their 
present interests, they have 
blasphemed and denied God : 
and for this wickedness they 
have lost life. And of these 
many are still in doubt ; these 
may yet return ; and if they shall 
quickly repent, they shall have a 
place in the tower; but if they 
shall be more slow, they shall 
dwell within the walls ; but if they 
shall not repent, they shall die. 

68 As for those who had two 



parts of their rods green, and the 
third dry ; they have ' by mani- 
fold ways denied the Lord. Of 
these many have repented, and 
found a place in the tower : and 
many have altogether departed 
from God. These have utterly 
lost life. 

69 And some being in a doubt- 
ful state, have raised up dissen- 
sions : these may yet return, if 
they shall suddenly repent and 
not continue in their lusts ; but 
if they shall continue in their 
evil doing thy shall die. 

70 \ They who gave in their 
rods two parts dry, and the other 
green; are those who have in- 
deed been faithful, but withal 
rich and full of good things ; and 
thereupon have desired to be 
famous among the heathen which 
are without, and have thereby 
fallen into great pride, and be- 
gun to aim at high matters, and 
to forsake the truth. 

71 Nor were they joined to 
the ^saints, but lived with the 
heathen ; and this life seemed the 
more pleasant to them. Howbeit 
they have not departed from 
God, but continued in the faith ; 
only they have not wrought the 
works of faith. 

72 Many therefore of these 
have repented ; and begun to 
dwell in the tower. Yet others 
still living among the heathen 
people, and being lifted up with 
their vanities, have utterly fallen 
away from God, and followed the 
works and wickednesses of the 
heathen. These kind of men 
therefore are reckoned among 
strangers to the Gospel. 

^ Lamb. MS. Quamplurimis generi- 
bus inficiati. ' Righteous. 



(258) 



Of the elect, 



SIMILITUDE VIII. 



and the repentant. 



73 Others of these began to be 
doubtful in their minds ; despair- 
ing by reason of their wicked 
doings ever to attain unto salva- 
tion: Others being thus made 
doubtful, did moreover stir up 
dissensions. 

74 To these therefore, and to 
those who by reason of their do- 
ings are become doubtful, there 
is still hope of return ; but they 
must repent quickly, that their 
place may be in the tower. But 
they that repent not, but con- 
tinue still in their pleasures, are 
nigh unto death. 

75 ^ As for those who gave 
in their rods green, excepting 
their tops, which only were dry, 
and had clefts ; these were always 
good, and faithful, and ' upright 
before God: nevertheless they 
sinned a little, by reason of their 
empty pleasures and trifling 
thoughts which they had within 
themselves. 

76 Wherefore many of them 
when they heard my words, re- 
pented forthwith, and began to 
dwell in the tower. Nevertheless 
some grew doubtful, and others 
to their doubtful minds added 
dissensions. To these therefore 
there is still hope of return, be- 
cause they were always good; 
but they shall not hardly be 
moved. 

77 As for those, lastly, who 
gave in their rods dry, their tops 
only excepted, which alone were 
green : they are such as have be- 
lieved indeed in God, but have 
lived in wickedness ; yet without 
departing from God: having al- 
ways willingly borne the name of 
the Lord; and readily received 

» Probi. 



into their houses the servants of 
God. 

78 Wherefore hearing these 
things they returned, and with- 
out delay repented, and lived in 
all righteousness. And some of 
them suffered death : others read- 
ily underwent many trials, being 
mindful of their evil doings. 

79 Tf And when he had ended 
his explications of all the rods, 
he said unto me, Go, and say 
unto all men that they repent, 
and they shall live unto God : 
because the Lord being moved 
with great clemency hath sent 
me to preach repentance unto all. 

80 Even unto those who by 
reason of their evil doings, de- 
serve not to attain unto salva- 
tion. But the Lord will be 
patient, and keep the invitation 
that was made by his Son. 

81 I said unto him, Sir, I hope 
that all when they shall hear 
these things, will repent. For I 
trust that everyone acknowledg- 
ing his crimes, and taking up 
the fear of the Lord, will return 
unto repentance. 

82 He said unto me. Whoso- 
ever shall repent with all their 
hearts, and cleanse themselves 
from all the evils that I have be- 
fore mentioned, and not add 
anything more to their sins, shall 
receive from the Lord the cure 
of their former iniquities, if they 
shall not make any doubt of 
these commands, and shall live 
unto God. 

83 But they that shall continue 
to add to their transgressions, 
and shall still converse with the 
lusts of the present world, shall 
condemn themselves unto death. 
But do thou walk in these com- 



(859) 



Of the mysteries 



III. HERMAS. 



of the church 



mands, and whosoever shall walk 
in these, and exercise them right- 
ly, shall live unto God. 

84 And having shewed me all 
these things, he said; I will shew 
thee the rest in a few days. 

SIMILITUDE IX. 



about it twelve mountains in 
different figures. 

6 The first was black as soot. 
The second was smooth, without 
herbs. The third was full of 
thorns and thistles. The fourth 
had herbs half dried ; of which 
the upper part was green, but 
The greatest mysteries of the mititant that next the root was dry ; and 



and triumphant church which is to 
be built. 



AFTER I had written the 
Commands and Similitudes 
of the Shepherd, the Angel of 
Repentance; he came unto me, 
and said to me, I will shew thee 
all those things which the 'Spirit 
spake with thee under the figure 
of the church. For that Spirit 
is the Son of God. 

2 And because thou wert weak 
in body, it was not declared unto 
thee by the angel, until thou wert 
strengthened by the Spirit, and 
increased in force, that thou 
mightest also see the angel. 

3 For then indeed the building 
of the tower was very well and 
gloriously shewn unto thee by 
the church ; nevertheless thou 
sawest all things shewn unto thee 
as it were by a virgin. 

4 But now thou art enlighten- 
ed by the angel, but yet by the 
same Spirit. But thou must con- 
sider all things diligently; for 
therefore am I sent into thy house 
by that venerable '^messenger, 
that when thou shalt have seen 
all things powerfully, thou may- 
est not be afraid as before. 

5 And he led me to the ' height 
of a mountain in Arcadia, and 
we sat upon its top. And he 
showed me a great plain, and 

* See above, Book I. ^ Angel. 
• Ascent. 



some of the herbs, when the sun 
grew hot, were dry. 

7 The fifth mountain was very 
rugged ; but yet had green herbs. 
The sixth mountain was full of 
clefts, some lesser, and some 
greater ; and in these clefts grew 
grass, not flourishing, but which 
seemed to be withering. 

8 The seventh mountain had a 
delightful pasture, and was whol- 
ly fruitful; and all kinds of 
cattle, and of the birds of heaven, 
fed upon it ; and the more they 
fed upon it, the more and better 
did the grass grow. 

9 The eighth mountain was 
full of fountains, and from those 
fountains were watered all kinds 
of the creatures of God. The 
ninth mountain had no water 
at all, but was wholly destitute 
of it ; and nourished deadly 
serpents, and destructive to men. 

10 The tenth mountain was 
full of tall trees, and altogether 
shady ; and under the shade of 
them la^^ cattle resting and chew- 
ing the cud. 

1 1 The eleventh mountain was 
full of the thickest trees; and 
those trees seemed to be loaded 
with several sorts of fruits : that 
whosoever saw them could not 
choose but desire to eat of their 
fruit. 

12 The twelfth mountain was 
altogether white, and of a most 

(260) 



militant and 



SIMILITUDE IX. 



triumphant. 



pleasant aspect, and itself gave 
a most excellent beauty to itself. 
■13 \ In the middle of the 
* plain he .shewed me a huge 
white rock, which rose out of 
the plain, and the rock was 
higher than those mountains, 
and was square ; so that it seem- 
ed capable of supporting the 
whole w^orld. 

14 It looked to me to be old, 
yet it had in it a new gate, 
which seemed to have been new- 
ly hewn out in it. Now that 
gate w^as bright beyond the sun 
itself; insomuch, that I greatly 
admired at its light. 

1 5 About the gate stood twelve 
virgins ; of which four that stood 
at the corners of the gate, seem- 
ed to me to be the chiefest, al- 
though the rest were also of 
worth : and they stood in the 
four paths of the gate. 

16 It added also to the grace 
of those virgins, that they stood 
in pairs, clothed with linen gar- 
ments, and decently girded, their 
right arms being at liberty, as if 
they were about to lift up some 
^burthen; for so they were 
adorned, and were exceeding 
cheerful and ready. 

17 When I saw^ this, I won- 
dered with myself to see such 
great and noble things. And 
again I admired upon the ac- 
count of those virgins, that they 
w^ere so handsome and delicate ; 
and stood with such firmness 
and constancy, as if they would 
carry the whole heaven. 

18 And as I was thinking thus 
wnthin m3\self, the shepherd said 
unto me; what thinkest thou 



' Origen. Horn. iii. in. Ezech. 
cem aliquem. Lat. 



Fas 



within thyself, and art disquiet- 
ed, and fillest thyself with 
care? 

19 Do not seem to consider, as 
if thou wert wise, what thou 
dost not understand, but pray 
unto the Lord, that thou mayest 
have ability to understand it : 
what is to come thou canst not 
understand, but thou seest that 
which is before thee. 

20 Be not therefore disquieted 
at those things which thou canst 
not see ; but get the understand- 
ing of those which thou seest. 

2 1 Forbear to be curious ; and 
I will shew thee all things that I 
ought to declare unto thee : but 
first consider what yet remains. 

22 T And when he had said 
this unto me I looked up, and 
behold I saw six tall and vener- 
able men coming; their coun- 
tenances were all alike ; and they 
called a certain multitude of 
men ; and they who came at their 
call were also tall and stout. 

23 And those six commanded 
them to build a certain tower 
over that gate. And immediately 
there began to be a great noise 
of those men running here and 
there about the gate, who were 
come together to build the tower. 

24 But those virgins which 
stood about the gate perceived 
that the building of the tower 
was to be hastened by them. 
And they vStretched out their 
hands, as if they were to receive 
somew^hat from them to do. 

25 Then those six men com- 
manded, that they should lift up 
stones out of a certain deep 
place, and prepare them for the 
building of the sower. And 
there were lifted up ten white 

C261) 



Of the mysteries 



III. HERMAS. 



of the church 



stones, square, and ^not cut 
round. 

26 Then those six men called 
the ten virgins to them, and 
commanded them to carry all 
the stones that were to be put 
into the building; and having 
carried them through the gate, 
to deliver them to those that 
were about to build the tower. 

27 Iminediately the virgins be- 
gan all of them together to lift 
up those stones, that were before 
taken out of the deep. 

28 T[ And they also who stood 
about the gate did carry stones 
in such a manner, that those 
stones which seemed to be the 
strongest were laid at the corners, 
the rest were put into the sides ; 

29 And thus they carried all 
the stones, and bringing them 
through the gate, delivered them 
to the builders, as they had been 
commanded : who receiving them 
at their hands, built with them. 

30 But this building was made 
upon that great rock, and over 
the gate ; and by these the whole 
tower was supported. But the 
building of the ten stones filled 
the whole gate, which began to 
be made for the foundation of 
that tower. 

31 After those ten stones did 
five and twenty others ^rise up 
out of the deep ; and these were 
placed in the building of the 
same tower; being lifted up by 
those virgins, as the others had 
been before. 

32 After these did five and 
thirty others ^rise up; and these 
were also in like manner fitted 
into the same work. Then forty 

* So Cotelerius in loc. * MS. Lamb. 
Ascenderunt. 



other stones were brought up, 
and all these were added unto 
the building of that tower. 

33 So there began to be four 
ranks in the foundation of that 
tower; and the stones ceased 
to ^ rise out of the deep ; and 
they also which built rested a 
little. 

34 Again, those six men com- 
manded the multitude, that they 
should bring stones out of those 
twelve mountains to the build- 
ing of the same tower. 

35 So they cut out of all the 
mountains stones of divers col- 
ors, and brought them and gave 
them to the virgins ; which when 
they had received they carried 
them, and delivered them into 
the building of the tower. 

36 In which when they were 
built they became white, and 
different from what they were 
before ; for they were all alike, 
and did change their former col- 
ors. And some were reached up 
by the men themselves, which 
when they came into the build- 
ding, continued such as they 
were put in. 

37 These neither became white, 
nor different from what they were 
before; because they were not 
carried by the virgins through 
the gate. Wherefore these stones 
were disagreeable in the build- 
ing ; which, when those six men 
perceived they commanded them 
to be removed, and put again in 
the place from which they were 
brought. 

38 And they said to those who 
brought those stones ; Do not ye 
reach up to us any stones for 
this building, but lay them 
down by the tower, that these 



(262) 



militant and 



SIMILITUDE IX. 



triumphant 



virgins may carry them and reach | and again taken out, and carried 



them to us 

39 For unless they shall be 
carried by these virgins through 
this gate, they cannot change 
their colors: therefore do not 
labor in vain. 

40 Tf So the building that day 
was done, howbeit the tower was 
not finished; for it was after- 
wards to be built, therefore now 
also there was some delay made 
of it. 

41 And these six men com- 
manded those that built to de- 
part, and as it were to rest for 
some time ; but they ordered 
those virgins that they should 
not depart from the tower ; now 
they seemed to me to be left for 
the guarding of it. 

42 When all were departed, I 
said unto that shepherd; Sir, 
why is not the building of the 
tower finished ? Because it can- 
not, said he, be finished until its 
Lord comes, and approves of the 
building ; that if he shall find any 
stones in it that are not good they 
may be changed ; for this tower 
is built according to his will. 

43 Sir, said I, I would know 
what the building of this tower 
signifies; as also I would be in- 
formed concerning this rock, and 
this gate. 

44 And concerning the mount- 
ains, and the virgins, and the 
stones that did rise out of the 
deep, and were not cut, but put 
into the building just as they 
came forth; and why the ten 
stones were first laid in the foun- 
dation; then the twenty-five; 
then thirty-five; then forty? 

45 Also concerning those stones 
that were put into the building. 



back into their place? Fulfill, I 
pray, the desire of my soul as to 
all these things, and manifest all 
unto me. 

46 And he said unto me; If 
thou shalt not be dull, thou shalt 
know all, and shalt see all the 
other things that are about to 
happen in this tower : and shalt 
understand diligently all these 
similitudes. 

47 And after a few days we 
came into the same place where 
we had sat before ; and he said 
unto me. Let us go unto the 
tower; for the Lord of it will 
come and examine it. 

48 So we came thither, and 
found none but those virgins 
there. And he asked them, wheth- 
er the Lord of that tower was come 
thither ? And they replied, that 
he would be there presently to 
examine the building. 

49 \ After a very little while 
I saw a great multitude of men 
coming, and in the middle of 
them a man so tall, that he sur- 
passed the tower in ^ height. 

50 About him were those six, 
who before commanded in the 
building, and all the rest of those 
who had built that tower, and 
many others of great dignity : 
and the virgins that kept the 
tower ran to meet him, and kiss- 
ed him, and began to walk near 
unto him. 

5 1 But he examined the build- 
ing with so much care, that he 
handled every stone ; and struck 
every one with a rod which he 
held in his hand : 

52 Of which some being so 
struck turned black as soot* 

* Greatness. 



C263) 



Of the mysteries 



III. HERMAS. 



of the church 



others were rough ; some looked 
as if they had cracks in them ; 
others seemed maimed ; some 
neither black nor white; some 
looked sharp, and agreed not 
with the other stones, and others 
were full of spots. 

53 These were the several kinds 
of those stones which were not 
found proper in the building ; all 
which the Lord commanded to be 
taken out of the tower, and laid 
near it, and other stones to be 
brought and put in their places. 

54 And they that built, asked 
him from which of the mountains 
he would have stones brought to 
put in the place of those that 
were laid aside. But he forbade 
them to bring any from the 
mountains, and commanded that 
they should take them out of a 
certain field that was near. 

55 So they digged in the field, 
and found many bright square 
stones, and some also that were 
round. Howbeit, all that were 
found in that field were taken 
away, and carried through the 
gate by those virgins ; and those 
of them that were square were 
fitted and put into the places of 
those that were pulled out. 

56 But the round ones were 
not put into the building, because 
they were hard, and it would 
have required too much time to 
cut them ; but they were placed 
about the tower, as if they should 
hereafter be cut square, and put 
into the building ; for they were 
very white. 

57 If When he who was chief 
in dignity, and lord of the whole 
tower saw this, he called to him 
the shepherd that was with me, 
and gave him the stones that 



were rejected and laid about the 
tower, and said unto him ; cleanse 
these stones with all care, and 
fit them into the building of the 
tower, that they may agree with 
the rest ; but those that will not 
suit with the rest, cast away afar 
off from the tower. 

58 When he had thus com- 
manded him, he departed, with 
all those that came with him to 
the tower : but those virgins still 
stood about the tower to keep it. 

59 And I said unto that shep- 
herd ; How can these stones, 
seeing they have been rejected, 
return into the building of this 
tower? He replied: I will cut 
off the greatest part from these 
stones, and will add them to the 
building, and they will agree 
with the rest. 

60 And I said, Sir, how will 
they be able to fill the same 
place, when they shall be so much 
cut away ? He answered ; They 
that shall be found too little shall 
be put into the middle of the 
building, and the greater shall be 
placed without, and keep them in. 

61 When he had said thus un- 
to me, he added ; Let us go, and 
after three days we will return, 
and I will put these stones, being 
cleansed, into the tower. 

62 Foi all these that are about 
the tower must be cleansed, lest 
the master of the house chance 
to come upon the sudden, and 
find those which are about the 
tower unclean; 'and be so ex- 
asperated that these stones 
should never be put into the 
building of this tower, and I 
shall be looked upon to have 



(264) 



^MS. Lamb, 
lapides. 



Ita exasperetur, ut hi 



fniliiant and 



SIMILITUDE IX. 



triumphant 



been ^ unmindful of my master's 
commands. 

63 When therefore we came 
after three days to the tower, he 
said unto me ; Let us examine all 
these stones, and let us see which 
of them may go into the building. 
I answered, Sir, let us see. 

64 ^ And first of all we begun 
to consider those which had been 
black; for they were found just 
such as they were when they 
were pulled out of the tower: 
wherefore he commanded them 
to be removed from the tower 
and put by themselves. 

65 Then he examined those 
which had been rough ; and 
commanded many of those to be 
cut round, and to be fitted by the 
virgins into the building of the 
tower; so they took them, and 
fitted them into the middle of 
the building ; and he commanded 
the rest to be laid by with the 
black ones, for they also were 
become black. 

66 Next he considered those 
which were full of cracks, and 
many of those also he ordered to 
be pared away, and so to be 
added to the rest of the building, 
by the same virgins. 

67 These were placed without 
because they were found entire ; 
but the residue through the 
multitude of their cracks could 
not be reformed, and therefore 
were cast away from the build- 
ing of the tower. 

68 Then he considered those 
that had been maimed ; many of 
these had cracks, and were be- 
come black; others had large 
clefts; these he commanded to 



be placed with those that were 
rejected; 

69 But the rest being cleansed 
and reformed, he commanded to 
be put into the building. These 
therefore those virgins took up, 
and fitted into the middle of the 
building, because they were but 
weak. 

70 After these he examined 
those which were found half 
white and half black ; and many 
of those were now black ; these 
also he ordered to be laid among 
those that were cast away. 

71 The rest were found alto- 
gether white ; those were taken 
up by the virgins, and fitted into 
the same tower : ' and these were 
put in the outside, because 
they were found entire ; that so 
they might keep in those that 
were placed in the middle, for 
nothing was cut off from them. 

72 Next he looked upon those 
"^ which had been hard and sharp ; 
but few of these were made use 
of, because they could not be 
cut, for they were found very 
hard : but the rest were formed, 
and fitted by the virgins into the 
middle of the building, because 
they were more weak. 

73 Then he considered those 
which had spots ; of these a few 
were found black, and these 
were carried to their fellows. 
The rest were white and entire ; 
and they were fitted by the 
virgins into the building and 
placed in the outside, by reason 
of their strength. 

74 \ After this he came to 
consider those stones which were 
white and round: and he said 



'MS. Lamb, 
familias. 



Negligens, patris 



iVid. MS. Lamb. Edit. Oxon., p. 
157. * MS. Lamb. Fuerant. 
(265) 



Of the mysteries 



III. HERMAS. 



of the church 



unto me, What shall we do with back to the mountains out of 



these stones? I answered, Sir, I 
cannot tell. 

75 He replied, Canst thou 
think of nothing then for these ? 
I answered, Sir, I understand not 
this art ; neither am I a stone- 
cutter, nor can I tell any thing. 

76 And he said, seest thou not 
that they are very round ? Now 
to make them square, I must 
cut off a great deal from them ; 
howbeit, it is necessary that some 
of these should go into the build- 
ing of the tower. 

77 I answered ; If it be neces- 
sary, why do you perplex your- 
self, and not rather choose, if you 
have any choice among them, 
and fit them into the building. 

78 Upon this he chose out the 
largest and brightest, and squar- 
ed them ; which, when he had 
done, the virgins took them up, 
and placed them in the outside 
of the building. 

79 And the rest that remained 
were carried back into the same 
field from which they were tak- 
en; howbeit, they were not cast 
away ; because, said he, there is 
yet a little wanting to this 
tower, which is to be built ; and 
perhaps the Lord will have these 
stones fitted into this building, be- 
cause they are exceeding white. 

80 Then were there called 
twelve very stately women, 
clothed with a black garment 
girded, and their shoulders free, 
and their hair loose. These 
seemed to me to be country 
women. 

81 And the shepherd com- 
manded them to take up those 
stones which were cast out of 
the building, and carry them 



which they were taken. 

82 And they took them all up 
joyfully, and carried them back 
to their places from whence they 
had been taken. 

83 When not one stone re- 
mained about the tower, he said 
unto me. Let us go about this 
tower, and see whether any thing 
be wanting to it. 

84 We began therefore to go 
round about it ; and when he saw 
that it was handsomely built, he 
began to be very glad ; for it was 
so beautifully framed, that any 
one that had seen it must have 
been in love with the building: 

85 For it seemed to be all but 
one stone, nor did a joint any 
where appear; but it looked as 
if it had all been cut out of one 
rock. 

86 ^ And when I diligently 
considered what a tower it was, 
I was extremely pleased : and he 
said unto me. Bring hither some 
lime and little shells, that I may 
fill up the ' spaces of those stones 
that were taken out of the build- 
ing, and put in again; for all 
things about the tower must be 
made even. 

87 And I did as he command- 
ed me, and brought them unto 
him: and he said unto me. Be 
ready to help me, and this work 
will quickly be finished. 

88 He therefore filled up the 
spaces of those stones, and com- 
manded the place about the 
tower to be cleansed. 

89 Then those virgins took 
besoms, and cleansed all the 
place around, and took away all 
the rubbish, and threw water on ; 

^ Formas. Lat. 



(266) 



militant and 



SIMILITUDE IX. 



triumphant. 



which being done, the place be- 
came delightful, and the tower 
beauteous. 

90 Then he said unto me. All 
is now clean : if the Lord should 
come to finish the tower, he will 
find nothing whereby to com- 
plain of us. 

91 When he had said this, he 
would have departed. But I laid 
hold on his bag, and began to 
entreat him for the Lord's sake, 
that he would explain to me all 
things that he had shown me. 

92 He said unto me, I have at 
present a little business; but I 
will suddenly explain all things 
unto thee. Tarry here for me 
till I come. 

93 I said unto him. Sir, what 
shall I do here alone? He an- 
swered, Thou art not alone, seeing 
all these virgins are with thee. 

94 I said, Sir, deliver me then 
unto them. Then he called them 
and said unto them, I commend 
this man unto you until I shall 
come. 

95 So I remained with those 
virgins : now they were cheerful 
and courteous unto me ; especial- 
ly the four, which seemed to be 
the chiefest among them. 

96 T Then those virgins said 
unto me, that shepherd will not 
return hither to-day. I said unto 
them, What then shall I do? 
They answered. Tarry for him till 
the evening, if perhaps he may 
come and speak with thee ; but 
if not, yet thou shalt continue 
with us till he does come. 

97 I said unto them, I will 
tarry for him till evening; but 
if he comes not by that time, I 
will go home, and return hither 
again the next morning. 



98 They answered me, Thou 
art delivered unto us, thou may- 
est not depart from us. I said, 
Where shall I tarry? 

99 They replied. Thou shalt 
sleep with us as a brother, not 
as a husband : for thou art our 
brother, and we are ready from 
henceforth to dwell with thee; 
for thou art very dear to us. 

100 Howbeit I was ashamed 
to continue with them. But she 
that seemed to be the chiefest 
amongst them, embraced me, and 
began to kiss me. And the rest 
when they saw that I was kissed 
by her, began also to kiss me as 
a brother ; and led me about the 
tower, and played with me. 

loi Some of them also sung 
psalms, others made up the cho- 
rus with them. But I walked 
about the tower with them, re- 
joicing silently, and seeming to 
myself to be grown young again. 

102 When the evening came 
on, I would forthwith have gone 
home, but they withheld me, 
and suffered me not to depart. 
Wherefore I continued with them 
that night near the same tower. 

103 So they spread their linen 
garments upon the ground ; and 
placed me in the middle, nor did 
they anything else, only they 
prayed. 

104 I also prayed with them 
without ceasing, nor less than 
they. Who when they saw me 
pray in that manner, rejoiced 
greatly; and I continued there 
with them till the next day. 

105 And when we had wor- 
shipped God, then the shepherd 
came and said unto them : You 
have done no injury to this man. 
They answered, Ask him. I said 



(267) 



Of the mysteries 



III. HERMAS. 



of the church 



unto him, Sir, I have received a 
great deal of satisfaction in that 
I have remained with them. 

io6 And he said unto me, How 
didst thou sup ? I answered, Sir, 
I feasted the whole night upon 
the words of the Lord. They 
received thee well then, said he ? 
I said. Sir, very well. 

107 He answered. Wilt thou 
now learn what thou didst desire ? 
I replied. Sir, I will : and first I 
pray thee that thou shouldst 
shew me all things in the order 
that I asked them. 

108 He answered, I will do all 
as thou wouldst have me, nor 
will I hide any thing from thee. 

109 ^1 First of all, Sir, said I, 
tell me, what this rock, and this 
gate denote ? Hearken, said he ; 
this rock, and this gate, are the 
Son of God. I replied. Sir, how 
can that be ; seeing the rock is 
old, but the gate new. 

no Hear, said he, O foolish 
man ! and understand. The Son 
of God is indeed more ancient 
than any creature ; ' insomuch 
that he was in council with his 
Father at the creation of * all 
things. 

111 But the gate is therefore 
new, because he appeared in the 
last days in the fullness of time; 
that they who vShall attain unto 
salvation, may by it enter into 
the kingdom of God. 

112 You have seen, said he, 
those stones which were carried 
through the gate, how they were 
placed in the building of the 
tower ; but that those which were 
not carried through the gate, 
were sent away into their own 
places ? 

* Ita ut. Lat. ^ The creatures. 



113 I answered. Sir, I saw it. 
Thus, said he, no man shall enter 
into the kingdom of God, but he 
who shall take upon him the 
name of the Son of God. 

114 For if you would enter 
into any city, and that city 
should be encompassed with a 
wall, and had only one gate, 
could you enter into that city 
except by that gate? 

115 I answered. Sir, how^ could 
I do otherwise? As therefore, 
said he, there would be no other 
way of entering into that city but 
by its gate, so neither can any 
one enter into the kingdom of 
God, but only by the name of 
his Son, who is most dear unto 
him. 

116 And he said unto me. 
Didst thou see the multitude of 
those that built that tower ? Sir, 
said I, I saw it. He answered, 
All those are the angels, vener- 
able in their dignity. 

117 With those is the Lord 
encompassed as with a wall : but 
the gate is the Son of God, who 
is the only way of coming unto 
God. For no man shall go to 
God, but by his Son. 

118 Thou sawestalso, said he, 
the six men, and in the middle 
of them that venerable great 
man, who walked about the 
tower, and rejected the stones 
out of the tower ? 

119 Sir, said I, I saw them. 
He answered, that tall man was 
the Son of God ; and those six 
were his angels of most eminent 
dignity, which stand about him 
on the right hand and on the left. 

120 Of these excellent angels 
none comes in unto God without 
him. He added, Whosoever there- 



(268) 



militant and 



SIMILITUDE IX. 



triumphant 



fore shall not take upon him his 
name he shall not enter into the 
kingdom of God. 

\2\ % Then I said, What is 
this tower ? This, said he, is the 
church. And what, Sir, are these 
virgins? He said unto me, These 
are the hol}^ spirits, for no man 
can enter into the kingdom of 
God, except these clothe him 
with their garment. 

122 For it will avail thee noth- 
ing to take up the name of the 
Son of God, unless thou shalt 
also receive their garment from 
them. For these virgins are the 
powers of the Son of God. So 
shall a man in vain bear his 
name, unless he shall be also en- 
dued with his powers. 

123 And he said unto me, saw- 
est thou those stones that were 
cast away? They bore indeed 
the name, but put not on their 
garment. I said, Sir, what is 
their garment ? ' Their very 
names, said he, are their garment. 

124 Therefore whosoever bear- 
eth the name of the Son of God, 
ought to bear their names also ; 
for the Son of God also himself 
beareth their names. 

125 As for those stones, con- 
tinued he, which being delivered 
by their hands, thou sawest re- 
main in the building, they were 
clothed with their power; for 
which cause thou seest the whole 
tower of the same ^ color with 
the rock, and made as it were of 
one stone. 

126 So also those who have 
believed in God by his Son, have 
put on his spirit. Behold there 
shall be one spirit, and one body, 

» Vid. Annot. Edit. Oxon. p. 116. d. 
* Vid. Origen. Philocal. c. viii. 



and one color of their garments ; 
and all they shall attain this, 
who shall bear the names of 
these virgins. 

127 And I said. Sir, why then 
were those stones cast away 
which were rejected, seeing they 
also were carried through the 
gate, and delivered by the hands 
of these virgins into the build- 
ing of this tower ? 

128 Seeing, said he, thou tak- 
est care to inquire diligently into 
all things, hear also concerning 
those stones which were rejected. 
All these received the name of 
the Son of God, and with that 
the power of these virgins. 

129 Having therefore received 
these spirits, they were per- 
fected, and brought into the 
number of the servants of God ; 
and they began to be one body, 
and to have one garment, for 
they were ' endued with the same 
righteousness, which they alike 
exercised. 

130 But after that they beheld 
those women which thou sawest 
clothed with a black garment, 
with their shoulders at liberty and 
their hair loose ; they fixed their 
desires upon them, being tempted 
with their beauty; and were 
clothed with their power, and cast 
off the clothing of the virgins: 

131 Therefore were they cast 
off from the house of God, and 
delivered to those women. But 
they that were not corrupted 
with their beauty, remained in 
the house of God. This, said 
he, is the signification of those 
stones which were rejected. 

iSentiebant aequitatem, Lat. from 
the Greek e<l>povovv ; but the true read- 
ing of Hermas seemeth to have been 
o^pow. 



(269) 



Of the mysteries 



III. HERMAS. 



of the church 



132 T And I said, Sir, what 
if any of these men shall repent, 
and cast away their desire of 
those women, and be converted, 
and return to these virgins, and 
put on again their virtue ; shall 
they not enter into the house of 
God? 

133 They shall enter, said he, 
if they shall lay aside all the 
works of those women, and shall 
resume the power of these vir- 
gins, and shall walk in their 
works. 

134 And for this cause there 
is a stop in the building, that if 
they shall repent, they may be 
added to the building of this 
tower ; but if they shall not re- 
pent, that others may be built in 
their places, and so they may be 
utterly cast away. 

135 For all these things I gave 
thanks unto the Lord, that being 
moved with mercy towards all 
those upon whom his name is 
called, he sent to us the angel of 
repentance to preside over us 
who have sinned against him; 
and that he has refreshed our 
spirits, which were almost gone, 
and who had no hope of salva- 
tion, but are now refreshed to 
the renewal of life. 

136 Then I said, shew me 
now Sir, why this tower is not 
built upon the ground, but upon 
a rock, and upon the gate? He 
replied, thou art foolish, and 
without understanding, there- 
fore thou asketh this. 

137 And I said. Sir, I must 
needs ask all things of you, be- 
cause I understand nothing at 
all. For all your answers are 
great and excellent ; and which 
a man can hardly understand. 



(270) 



138 Hear, said he: The name 
of the Son of God is great and 
without bounds, and the whole 
world is supported by it. If 
therefore, said I, every creature 
of God be sustained by his Son, 
why should he not support those 
also who have been invited by 
him, and who carry his name, 
and walk in his commandments? 

139 Seest thou not, said he, 
that he doth support them, who 
with all their heart bear his 
name? He therefore is their 
foundation, and gladly supports 
those who do not deny his name, 
but willingly bear it. 

140 T[ And I said: Sir, tell 
me the names of these virgins ; 
and of those women that were 
clothed with the black garment. 

141 Hear, said he, the names 
of those virgins which are the 
more powerful, and stand at the 
corners of the gate. These are 
their names: 

142 The first is called ' Faith; 
the second Continence ; the third. 
Power ; the fourth, Patience; the 
rest which stand beneath these 
are, Simplicity, Innocence, Chas- 
tity, Cheerfulness, Truth, Un- 
derstanding, Concord, Charity. 

143 Whosoever therefore bear 
these names, and the name of the 
Son of God, shall enter into the 
kingdom of God. 

144 Hear now, said he, the 
names of those women, which 
were clothed with the black 
garment. Of these, four are the 
principal : the first is Perfidious- 
ness ; the second, Incontinence ; 
the third, Infidelity ; the fourth, 
Pleasure. 

145 And the rest which follow 
' Origen. Horn. 13. in Ezek. 



militant and 



SIMILITUDE IX. 



triumphant 



are called thus : Sadness, Malice, could not otherwise enter into 



Lust, Anger, Lying, Foolishness, 
Pride, and Hatred. The servant 
of God, which carries these spir- 
its, shall see indeed the kingdom 
of God, but he shall not enter 
into it. 

146 But, Sir, what are those 
stones which were taken out of 
the deep and fitted into the build- 
ing? The ten, said he, which 
were placed at the foundation, 
are the first age ; the following 
five-and-twenty, the second, of 
righteous men. 

147 The next thirty-five, are 
the prophets and ministers of 
the Lord. And the forty, are 
the Apostles and doctors of the 
preaching of the Son of God. 

148 And I said, Sir, why did 
the virgins put even those stones 
into the building after they were 
carried through the gate? And 
he said. Because these first car- 
ried those spirits, and they de- 
parted not one from the other, 
neither the men from the spirits, 
nor the spirits from the men : 

149 But the spirits were joined 
to those men even to the day of 
their death ; who if they had not 
had these spirits with them, they 
could not have been useful to 
the building of this tower. 

150 And I said, Sir, shew me 
this farther. He answered, What 
dost thou ask? Why did these 
stones come out of the deep, and 
were placed into the building of 
this tower, seeing that they long 
ago carried those ' holy spirits ? 

151 ''It was necessary, said he, 
for them to ascend by water, that 
they might be at rest. For they 

^Justos, Righteous. 'Vid. Edit. 
Oxon, p. 171, 



the kingdom of God, but by lay- 
ing aside the mortality of their 
former life. 

152 They therefore being dead, 
were nevertheless sealed with the 
seal of the Son of God, and so en- 
tered into the kingdom of God. 

153 For before a man receives 
the name of the Son of God, he 
is ordained unto death ; but when 
he receives that seal, he is freed 
from death, and ^ assigned unto 
life. 

154 Now that seal is the water 
of baptism, into which men go 
down under the obligation unto 
death, but come up appointed 
unto life. 

155 Wherefore to those also 
was this ^ seal preached, and they 
made use of it, that they might 
enter into the kingdom of God. 

156 And I said, Why then, sir, 
did these fortj^ stones also ascend 
with them out of the deep, hav- 
ing already received that seal ? 

157 He answered, ^ Because 
these Apostles and teachers, who 
preached the name of the Son of 
God, dying after they had receiv- 
ed his faith and power, preached 
to them who were dead before; 
and they gave this seal to them. 

158 They went down therefore 
into the water with them, and 
again came up. But these went 
down whiLst they were alive, and 
came up again alive: whereas 
those, who were before dead, went 
down dead, but came up alive; 

159 Through these therefore 
they received life, and knew the 
Son of God : for which cause they 

^Traditur, Delivered. '^ Vid. Cot. An- 
nat. in loc, p. 77, 78. Comp. i Pet. iii. 
19. ^ Vid. Clem. Alex. Strom, ii. et vi. 



(271) 



Of the mysteries 



III. HERMAS. 



of the church 



came up with them, and were fit 
to come into the building of the 
tower; and were not cut, but put 
in entire; because they died in 
righteousness, and in great puri- 
ty ; only this seal was wanting 
to them. 

1 60 Thus you have the expli- 
cation of these things. 

161^1 answered : Sir, tell me 
now what concerns those mount- 
ains, why are they so different ; 
some of one form, and some of 
another, 

162 Hear, said he: These twelve 
mountains which thou seest, are 
twelve nations, which make up 
the whole world. Wherefore the 
Son of God is preached to them, 
by those whom he sent unto them. 

163 But why, said I, are they 
different, and every one of a 
figure? He replied, Hearken. 
Those twelve nations which pos- 
sess the whole world, are twelve 
people. 

164 And as thou hast beheld 
these mountains different, so are 
they. I will therefore open to 
thee the meaning and actions of 
every mountain. 

165 But first, sir, said I, shew 
me this ; Seeing these mountains 
are so different, how have they 
agreed into the iDuilding of this 
tower ; and been brought to one 
color ; and are no less bright than 
those that came out of the deep ? 

166 Because, replied he, all the 
nations which are under heaven, 
have heard and believed in the 
same one name of the Son of 
God by whom they are called. 

167 Wherefore having receiv- 
ed his seal, they have all been 
made partakers of the same ' un- 

* Prudence. 



(372) 



I derstanding and 'knowledge ; and 
I their faith and charity have been 
I the same; and they have carried 
j the spirits of these virgins to- 
I gether with his name. 
! 168 And therefore the building 
j of this tower appeared to be of 
the same color, and did shine 
like the brightness of the sun. 

169 But after that they had 
thus agreed in one mind there 
began to be one body of them all ; 
howbeit seme of them polluted 
themselves and were cast off 
from the kind of the righteous, 
and again returned to their for- 
mer state, and became even worse 
than they were before. 

170 *lj How, said I, sir, were 
they worse who knew the Lord? 
He answered : If he who knows 
not the Lord liveth wickedly, 
the punishment of his wicked- 
ness attends him. 

171 But he who has known 
the Lord, ought to abstain alto- 
gether from all wickedness, and 
more and more to be the servant 
of righteousness. 

172 And does not he then 
seem to thee to sin more who 
ought to follow goodness, if he 
shall prefer the part of sin ; than 
he who offends without knowing 
the ''power of God? 

173 Wherefore those are in- 
deed ordained unto death ; but 
they who have known the Lord, 
and have seen his wonderful 
works, if they shall live wickedly, 
they shall be doubly punished, 
and shall die for ever. 

174 As therefore thou hast 
seen that after the stones were 
cast out of the tower, which had 
been rejected ; they were deliver- 

^ Sense. ' Lat. Virtutem. 



militant and 



SIMILITUDE IX. 



triumphant. 



ed to wicked and cruel spirits ; 
and thou beheldest the tower so 
cleansed, as if it had all been 
made of one stone : 

175 'So the church of God, 
when it shall be purified : (the 
^ wicked and counterfeits, the 
' mischievous and doubtful, and 
all that have behaved themselves 
wickedly in it, and committed 
divers kinds of sin, being cast 
out) shall become one body, and 
there shall be one understanding, 
one opinion, one faith, and the 
same charity. 

176 And then shall the Son of 
God rejoice among them, and 
shall receive his people with a 
pure will. 

177 And I said; Sir, all these 
things are great and honorable ; 
but now shew unto me the effect 
and force of every mountain : 
that every soul which trusteth 
in the Lord, when it shall hear 
these things may honor his great, 
and wonderful, and holy name. 

178 Hear, said he, the variety 
of these mountains, that is, of 
the twelve nations. 

179 ^ They who have believ- 
ed of the first mountain, which 
is black, are those who have re- 
volted from the faith ; and spoken 
wicked things against the Lord ; 
and betrayed the servants of God. 

180 These are condemned to 
death, there is no repentance for 
them : and therefore they are 
black, because their kind is 
wicked. 

181 Of the second mountain 
which was smooth, are the ' hypo- 
crites, who have believed, and 
the teachers of naughtiness : and 

' Vid. Orig. Philocal c. viii. ^Evil. 
^ Profligate, * Feigned. 



these are next to the foregoing, 
which have not in them the fruit 
of righteousness. 

182 For as their mountain is 
barren and without fruit ; so also 
such kind of men have indeed 
the name of Christians, but are 
empty of faith ; nor is there any 
fruit of the truth in them. 

183 Nevertheless, there is room 
left to them of repentance, if they 
shall suddenly pursue it : but if 
they shall delay, they also shall 
be partakers of death with the 
foregoing kind. 

184 I said, Sir, why is there 
room left to those for repentance, 
and not to the foregoing kind, 
seeing their sins are well nigh 
the same? 

1 85 There is therefore, said he, 
to these a return unto life by re- 
pentance, because they have not 
blasphemed against their Lord, 
nor betrayed the servants of God; 
but by their desire of gain have 
deceived men, leading them ac- 
cording to the lusts of sinners ; 
wherefore they shall suffer for 
this thing. 

186 Howbeit there is still left 
them room for repentance, be- 
cause they have not spoken 
any thing wickedly against the 
Lord. 

187 ^ They who are of the 
third mountain who had thorns 
and brambles, are those who be- 
lieved, but were some of them 
rich, others taken up with many 
affairs: the brambles are their 
riches ; the thorns, those affairs 
in which they were engaged. 

188 Now they who are en- 
tangled in much business, and in 
diversity of affairs, join not them- 
selves to the servants of God, 

(273) 



Of the mysteries 



III. HERMAS. 



of the church 



but wander, being called away 
by those affairs with which they 
are choked. 

189 And so they which are 
rich, with difficulty yield them- 
selves to the ' conversation of the 
servants of God ; fearing lest any 
thing should be asked of them. 
These therefore shall hardly 
enter into the kingdom of God. 

190 For as men walk with dif- 
ficulty bare-foot over thorns, 
even so these kind of men vShall 
scarcely enter into the kingdom 
of God. 

191 Nevertheless there is af- 
forded to all these a return unto 
repentance; if that they shall 
quickly return to it; that be- 
cause in their former days they 
have neglected to work, in the 
time that is to come they may do 
some good. 

192 If therefore having repent- 
ed they shall do the works of 
righteousness, they shall live ; 
but if they shall continue in their 
evil courses, they shall be de- 
livered to those women that will 
take away their life. 

193 Tf As for the fourth mount- 
ain, which had many herbs, the 
upper part of which is green, but 
the roots dry, and some of which 
being touched with the heat of 
the sun, are withered ; 

194 It denotes the doubtful, 
who have believed, and some 
others who carry the Lord in 
their tongues, but have him not 
in their heart: therefore their 
grass is dry, and without root ; 
because they live only in words, 
but their works are dead. 

195 These therefore are neither 
dead nor living, and withal are 

» Vid. Edit. Oxon., p. 178, Not. b. 



(274) 



doubtful. For the doubtful are 
neither green nor dry; that is, 
neither dead nor alive. 

196 For as the herbs dry away 
at the sight of the sun : so the 
doubtful as soon as they hear of 
persecution, and fear inconveni- 
ences, return to their idols, and 
again .serve them, and are asham- 
ed to bear the name of their 
Lord. 

197 This kind of men then is 
neither dead nor alive; never- 
theless these also may live, if 
they shall presently repent ; but 
if not, they shall be delivered to 
those women, who shall take 
away their life. 

198 Tf As concerning the fifth 
mountain that is craggy, and yet 
has green grass : they are of this 
kind who have believed, and are 
faithful indeed, but believe with 
difficulty ; and are bold, and self- 
conceited ; that would be thought 
to know all things, but really 
know nothing. 

199 Wherefore, by reason of 
this confidence, knowledge is de- 
parted from them; and a rash 
presumption is entered into them. 

200 But they carry themselves 
high, and as prudent men ; and 
though they are fools, yet would 
seem to be teachers. 

201 Now by reason of this 
folly many of them whilst they 
magnify themselves, are become 
vain and empty. For boldness 
and vain confidence is a ^ very 
evil spirit. ^ 

202 Wherefore many of these 
are cast away: but others ac- 
knowledging their error, have 
repented, and submitted them- 
selves to those who are knowing. 

' Magnum Daemonium. 



militant and 



SIMILITUDE IX. 



triumphant 



203 And to all the rest of this 
kind there is repentance allowed ; 
forasmuch as they were not so 
much wicked as foolish, as void 
of understanding. 

204 If these therefore shall re- 
pent, they shall live unto God ; 
but if not, they shall dwell with 
those women, who shall exercise 
their wickedness upon them. 

205 Tf For what concerns the 
sixth mountain having greater 
and lesser clefts, they are such 
as have believed; but those in 
which were lesser clefts are they 
who have had controversies 
among themselves ; and by rea- 
son of their quarrels languish 
in the faith : 

206 Nevertheless many of these 
have repented, and so will the rest 
when they shall hear my com- 
mands; for their controversies 
are but small, and they will easily 
return unto repentance. 

207 But those who have the 
greater clefts, will be as stiff 
stones, mindful of grudges and 
offences, and full of anger among 
themselves. These therefore are 
cast from the tower, and refused 
to be put into its building ; for 
this kind of men shall hardly live. 

208 Our God and Lord, who 
ruleth over all things, and has 
power over all his creatures, will 
not remember our offences, but 
is easily appeased by those who 
confess their sins : but man be- 
ing languid, mortal, infirm, and 
full of sins, perseveres in his 
anger against man ; as if it were 
in his power to save or destroy 
him. 

209 But I, as the angel who 
am set over your repentance, 
admonish you, that whosoever 



(275) 



among you has any such purpose 
he should lay it aside, and return 
unto repentance; and the Lord 
will heal your former sins, if you 
shall purge yourselves from this 
evil spirit ; but if you shall not 
do it, ye shall be delivered to 
him unto death. 

2 1 o ^ As for the seventh mount- 
ain in which the grass was green 
and flourishing, and the whole 
mountain faithful ; and all kind 
of cattle fed upon the grass of it, 
and the more the grass was eaten, 
so much the more it flourished ; 

211 They are such as believed, 
and were always good and up- 
right; and without any differ- 
ences among themselves, but still 
rejoiced in the servants of God, 
having put on the spirit of these 
virgins; and been always for- 
ward to shew mercy to all men, 
readily giving to all men of their 
labors without upbraiding, and 
without deliberation. 

212 Wherefore the Lord see- 
ing their simplicity and ^ inno- 
cence, has increased them in the 
works of their hands, and given 
them grace in all their works. 

213 But I, who am the angel 
appointed over your repentance, 
exhort you, that as many as are 
of this kind would continue in 
the same purpose, that your seed 
may not be rooted out for ever. 

214 For the Lord hath tried 
you, and written you into our 
number ; and all your seed shall 
dwell with the Son of God; for 
ye are all of his spirit. 

215 Tf As concerning the eighth 
mountain in which were a great 
many springs, by which every 
kind of all the creatures of God 

^ Infancy. 



Of the mysteries 



III. HERMAS. 



of the church 



was watered; they are such as 
have believed the Apostles which 
the Lord sent into all the world 
to preach; 

216 And ^ some of them being 
teachers have preached and 
taught purely and sincerely, and 
have not in the least yielded to 
any evil desires, but have con- 
stantly walked in righteousness 
and truth. 

217 These therefore have 
their conversations among the 
angels. 

2 1 8 ^f Again ; as for what con- 
cerns the ninth mountain which 
is desert, and full of serpents; 
they are such as have believed, 
but had many stains : 

219 These are such ministers 
as discharge their ministry amiss; 
ravishing away the goods of the 
widows and fatherless ; and serve 
themselves, not others, out of 
those things which they have 
received. 

220 These, if they continue in 
this covetousness, have delivered 
themselves unto death, nor shall 
there be any hope of life for them. 
But if they shall be converted, 
and shall discharge their min- 
istry sincerely, they may live. 

221 As for those which were 
found rough, they are such as 
have denied the name of the 
Lord, and not returned again to 
the Lord, but have become sav- 
age and wild ; not applying 
themselves to the servants of 
God ; but being separated from 
them, have for a little careless- 
ness lost their lives. 

222 For as a vine that is for- 
saken in a hedge, and never 

' MS. Lamb. Et quidam Doctores 
caste : Omitting Qui. 

(2 



dressed, perishes and is choked 
by the weeds, and in time be- 
comes wild, and ceases to be 
useful to its lord ; so this kind of 
men despairing of themselves, 
and being soured, have begun to 
be unprofitable to their Lord. 

223 Howbeit to these there is, 
after all, repentance allowed, if 
they shall not be found from 
their hearts to have denied Christ; 
but if any of these shall be found 
to have denied him from his 
heart, I cannot tell whether such 
a one can attain unto life. 

224 I say therefore that if any 
one hath denied, he should in 
these days return unto repent- 
ance; for it cannot be that any 
one who now denies the Lord, 
can afterwards attain unto salva- 
tion : nevertheless repentance is 
proposed unto them who have 
formerly denied. 

225 But he who will repent 
must hasten on his repentance, 
before the building of this tower 
is finished: otherwise he shall 
be delivered by those women 
unto death. 

226 But they that are maimed, 
are the deceitful ; and those who 
mix with one another, these are 
the serpents that you saw min- 
gled in that mountain. 

227 For as the poison of ser- 
pents is deadl}^ unto men ; so the 
words of such persons infect and 
destroy men. They are there- 
fore maimed in their faith, by 
reason of that kind of life which 
they lead. 

228 Howbeit some of them, 
having repented, have been sav- 

i ed ; and so shall others of the 
j same kind be also saved, if they 
I shall repent; but if not, they 
76) 



militant and 



SIMILITUDE IX. 



triumphant. 



shall die by those women whose 
power and force they possess. 

229 ^f For what concerns the 
tenth mountain, in which were 
the trees covering the cattle, they 
are such as have believed ; and 
some of them been bishops, that 
is, governors of the churches. 

230 Others, are such stones as 
have not feignedly, but with a 
cheerful mind, entertained the 
servants of God. 

231 Then such as have been 
set over inferior ministries ; and 
have protected the poor and the 
widows; and have always kept 
a chaste conversation : therefore 
they also are protected by the 

Lord. 

232 Whosoever shall do on this 
wise, are honored with the Lord ; 
and their place is among the an- 
gels, if they shall continue to 
obey the Lord even unto the end. 

233 T As to the eleventh 
mountain in which were trees 
loaded with several sorts of 
fruits ; they are such as have be- 
lieved, and suffered death, for the 
name of the Lord ; and have en- 
dured with a ready mind, and 
have given up their lives with 
all their hearts. 

234 And I said, Why then, 
sir, have all these fruit indeed, 
but yet some fairer than others ? 

235 Hearken, said he: Who- 
soever have suffered for the name 
of the Lord are esteemed honor- 
able by the Lord ; and all their 
offences are blotted out, because 
they have suffered death for the 
name of the Son of God. 

236 Hear now, why their fruits 
are different, and some of them 
excel others, they who being 
brought before magistrates, and 



being asked, denied not the Lord, 
but suffered with a ready mind ; 
these are more honorable with 
the Lord. The fruits therefore 
that are the most fair are these. 

237 But they who were fear- 
ful and doubtful, and have delib- 
erated with themselves whether 
they should confess or deny 
Christ, and yet have suffered; 
their fruits are smaller, because 
that this thought came into their 
hearts. 

238 For it is a wicked and evil 
thought for a servant to deliber- 
ate whether he should deny his 
master. Take heed therefore ye 
who have such thoughts, that 
this mind continue not in you, 
and ye die unto God. 

239 But ye who suffer death 
for his name sake, ought to honor 
the Lord, that he has esteemed 
you worthy to bear his name; 
and that you should be delivered 
from all your sins. 

240 And why therefore do you 
not rather esteem yourselves hap- 
py ? Yea think verily that if any 
one among you suffer, he per- 
forms a great work! For the 
Lord giveth you life, and ye un- 
derstand it not. For your offences 
did oppress you ; and if you had 
not suffered for his name sake, 
ye had now been dead unto the 
Lord. 

241 Wherefore I speak this 
unto you who deliberate whether 
ye should confess or deny him ; 
confess that ye have the Lord 
for your God ; lest at any time 
denying him, ye be delivered 
over into bonds. 

242 For if all nations punish 
their servants which deny their 
masters; what think you that 



(277) 



Of the mysteries 



III. HERMAS. 



of the church 



the Lord will do unto you, who 
has the power of all things ? 

243 Remove therefore out of 
your hearts these doubts, that ye 
may live for ever unto God. 

244 As for the twelfth mount- 
ain, which was white, they are 
such as have believed like sincere 
children, into whose thoughts 
there never came any malice, nor 
have they ever known what sin 
was, but have always continued 
in their integrity. 

245 Wherefore this kind of 
men shall without all doubt in- 
herit the kingdom of God ; be- 
cause they have never in any 
thing defiled the commandments 
of God, but have continued with 
sincerity in the same condition 
all the days of their life. 

246 Whosoever therefore, said 
he, shall continue as children 
without malice; shall be more 
honorable than all those of whom 
I have yet spoken : for all such 
children are honored by the 
Lord, and esteemed the first of all. 

247 Happy therefore are ye 
who shall remove all malice from 
you, and put on innocence ; be- 
cause ye shall first see the Lord. 

248 And after he had thus 
ended his explication of all the 
mountains, I said unto him. Sir, 
show me now also what concerns 
the stones that were brought out 
of the plain, and put into the 
tower in the room of those that 
were rejected: 

249 As also concerning those 
round stones which were added 
into the building of the tower ; 
and also of those who still con- 
tinued round. 

250 T Hear now, says he, con- 
cerning those stones which were 



brought out of the plain into the 
building of the tower, and placed 
in the room of those that were 
rejected: they are the roots of 
that white mountain. 

251 Wherefore because those 
who have believed of that mount- 
ain, were very innocent ; the lord 
of this tower commanded that 
they which were of the roots of 
this mountain should be placed 
into the building. 

252 For he knew that if they 
were put into this building they 
would continue bright; nor would 
any of them any more be made 
black. 

253 But if he had added on 
this manner from the rest of the 
mountains, he would ^ almost 
have needed again to visit the 
tower and to cleanse it. 

254 Now all these white stones 
are the young men who have be- 
lieved, or shall believe ; for they 
are all of the same kind. Happy is 
this kind, because it is innocent. 

255 Hear now also concerning 
those round and bright stones : 
all these are of this white mount- 
ain. But they are therefore 
found round, because their riches 
have a little darkened them from 
the truth, and dazzled their eyes : 

256 Howbeit they have never 
departed from the Lord, nor has 
any wicked word proceeded out 
of their mouths; but all right- 
eousness, and virtue, and truth. 

257 When therefore the Lord 
saw their mind, and that they 
might adorn the truth ; he com- 
manded that they should con- 
tinue good, and that their riches 
should be pared away : 

' MS. Lamb. Tantum non necesse 
habuisset. 



C278) 



militant and 



SIMILITUDE IX. 



triumphant. 



258 For he would not have 
them taken wholly away, to the 
end they might do some good 
with that which was left, and live 
unto God ; because they also are 
of a good kind. 

259 Therefore was there a little 
cut off from them, and so they 
were put into the building of this 
tower. 

260 ^ As for the rest which 
continued still round, and were 
not found fit for the building ' of 
this tower, because they have not 
yet received the seal ; they were 
carried back to their place, be- 
cause they were found very round. 

261 But this present world 
must be cut away from them, 
and the vanities of their riches ; 
and then they will be fit for the 
kingdom of God. For they must 
enter into the kingdom of God, 
because God has blessed this in- 
nocent kind. 

262 Of this kind therefore none 
shall fall away: for though any 
of them being tempted by the 
devil should offend, he shall 
soon return to his Lord God. 

263 I the angel of repentance 
esteem you happy, whosoever 
are innocent as little children, 
because your portion is good and 
honorable with the Lord. 

264 And I say unto all you 
who have received this seal; 
keep simplicity, ' and remember 
not the offences which are com- 
mitted against you, nor con- 
tinue in malice, or in bitterness, 
through the memory of offences. 

265 ^ But become one spirit, 

^ MS. Lamb. Structural! turris hujus 
'MS. Lamb. Et unum quemque spirit- 
um fieri : which appears from the 
Greek of Antiochus to be the true 
reading} /cat yev^adat ev irvevfia. 



and provide remedies for these 
evil rents, and remove them 
from you ; that the lord of the 
sheep may rejoice ' at it ; "^ for he 
will rejoice, if he shall find all 
whole. 

266 But if any of these sheep 
shall be found scattered away, 
Woe shall be to the shepherds; 
but and if the shepherds them- 
selves shall be scattered ; what 
will they answer to "^the lord of 
the sheepfold? Will they say 
that they were troubled by the 
sheep? But they shall not be 
believed. 

267 For it is an incredible 
thing that the shepherd should 
suffer by his flock ; and he shall 
be the more punished for his lie. 

268 Now I am the shepherd; 
and I especially must give an ac- 
count of you. 

269 ^ Wherefore take care of 
yourselves whilst the tower is 
yet building. The Lord dwells in 
those that love peace ; for peace 
is beloved ; but he is far off from 
the contentious, and those who 
are "full of malice. 

270 Wherefore restore unto 
him the Spirit entire, as ye re- 
ceived it. ^ For if thou shalt 
give unto a fuller a garment new 
and whole, thou wilt expect to 
receive it whole again ; if there- 
fore the fuller shall restore it 
unto thee torn, wouldst thou re- 
ceive it? 

271 Wouldst thou not present- 
ly be angry; and reproach him, 
saying: I gave my garment to 
thee whole ; why hast thou rent 

^ MS. Lamb. Gaudeat de his ; and 
Gr. Antioch. 
tioch. Horn. 



XfJ-PV fTT aVTu). 



cxxn. 



Gr. 



2 Vid An- 
Toj deaTTOTfj 



Tov notfiviov. ^Perditis malitia. Lat. 
^ Antioch. Horn. xciv. 



(279) 



Of rep€7itance 



III. HERMAS. 



and alms deeds. 



it and made it useless to me ? ( were to be spoken by me I have 



Now it is of no use to me, by 
reason of the rent which thou 
hast made in it. Wouldst thou 
not say all this to a fuller, for 
the rent which he made in thy 
garment ? 

272 If therefore thou wouldst 
be concerned for thy garment, 
and complain that thou hadst 
not received it whole; what 
thinkest thou that the Lord will 
do, who gave his Spirit to thee 
entire, and thou hast rendered 
him altogether unprofitable, so 
that he can be of no use unto 
his Lord? For being corrupted 
by thee, he is no longer profitable 
to him. 

273 Will not therefore the 
Lord do the same concerning his 
Spirit, by reason of thy deed? 
Undoubtedly, said I, he will do 
the same to all those whom he 
shall find to continue in the re- 
membrance of injuries. 

274 Tread not then under foot, 
said he, his mercy; but rather 
honor him, because he is so pa- 
tient with respect to your of- 
fences, and not like one of you; 
but repent, for that will be prof- 
itable for you. 

275 «[[ All these things which 
are above written, I the shep- 
herd, the angel of repentance, 
have shewn and spoken to the 
servants of God. 

^ 276 If therefore ye shall be- 
lieve and hearken to these words, 
and shall walk in them, and shall 
correct your ways, ye shall live. 
But if ye shall continue in mal- 1 
ice, and in the remembrance of I 
injuries, no such sinners shall i 
live unto God. j 

277 All these things which | 



(280) 



thus delivered unto you. Then 
the shepherd said unto me, Hast 
thou asked all things of me? I 
answered, Sir, I have. 

278 Why then, said he, hast 
thou not asked concerning the 
spaces of these stones that were 
put in the building, that I may 
explain that also unto thee ? I 
answered, Sir, I forgot it. Hear, 
then, said he, concerning these 
also. 

279 They are those who have 
now heard these commands, and 
have repented with all their 
hearts ; 

280 And when the Lord saw 
that their repentance was good 
and pure, and that they could con- 
tinue in it, he commanded their 
former sins to be blotted out. 
For these spaces were their sins, 
and they are therefore made even 
that they might not appear. 

^ SIMILITUDE X. 

Oj\Repentance and alms-deeds. 
A FTER that I had written this 
^^ book, the angel which had 
delivered me to that shepherd, 
came into the house where I was, 
and sat upon the bed, and that 
shepherd stood at his right hand. 

2 Then he called me and said 
unto me; I delivered thee and 
thy house to this shepherd, that 
thou mightest be protected by 
him. I said. Yes, Lord. 

3 If therefore, said he, thou 
wilt be protected from all vexa- 
tions and from all cruelty, and 
have success in every good word 
and work; and have all virtue 
and righteousness ; walk in those 
commands which he has given 
thee, and thou shalt have domin- 
ion over all sin. 



Of repeyitatue 



SIMILITUDE X. 



and alms deeds. 



4 For if thou keepest those 
commands, all the lust and pleas- 
ure of this present world shall 
be subject to thee; and success 
shall follow thee in every good 
undertaking. 

5 Take therefore his ' gravity 
and modesty towards thee, and 
say unto all, that he is in great 
honor and renown with God, and 
is a "^prince of great authority 
and powerful in his office. 

6 To him only is the power of 
repentance committed through- 
out the whole world. Does he 
not seem to thee to be of great 
authority ? 

7 But ye despise his goodness, 
and the modesty which he shews 
towards you. 

8^1 said unto him ; Sir, ask 
him since the time that he came 
into my house whether I have 
done any thing disorderly, or 
have offended him in any thing? 

9 I know, said he, that thou 
hast done nothing disorderly, 
neither wilt thou hereafter do 
any such thing; and therefore I 
speak these things with thee 
that thou mayest persevere; for 
he has given me a good account 
concerning thee. 

10 But thou'shalt speak these 
things to others, that they who 
either have repented, or shall re- 
pent, 'may be like-minded with 
thee; and he may give me as 
good an account of them also, and 
I may do the same unto the 
Lord. 

Ill answered; Sir, I declare 
to all men the wonderful works 
of God ; and I hope that all who 
love them and have before sinned, 



' Lat. Maturitatem. 
' Eadam quae tu sentiant. 



when they shall hear these things, 
will repent, and recover life. 

12 Continue therefore, said he, 
in this ministry, and fulfill it. 
And whosoever shall do accord- 
ing to the commands of this 
shepherd, he shall live ; and shall 
have great honor both here and 
with the Lord. 

13 But they that shall not 
keep his commands, flee from 
their life, and are adversaries to 
it. And they that follow not his 
commands, shall deliver them- 
selves unto death ; and shall be 
every one guilty of his own blood. 

14 But I say unto thee, keep 
these commandments, and thou 
shalt find a cure for all thy sins. 

15 ^ Moreover, I have sent 
' these virgins to dwell with thee ; 
for I have seen that they are very 
kind to thee. Thou shalt there- 
fore have them for thy helpers, 
that thou mayest the better keep 
the commands which he hath giv- 
en thee ; for these commands can- 
not be kept without these virgins 

1 6 And ^ I see how they are 
willing to be with thee ; and I 
will also command them that 
they shall not all depart from 
thy house. 

17 Only do thou purify thy 
house ; for they will readily dwell 
in a clean house. For they are 
clean and chaste, and industri- 
ous ; and all of them have grace 
with the Lord. 

18 If therefore, thou shalt have 
thy house pure, they will abide 
with thee. But, if it shall be 
never so little polluted, they will 

* What is meant by these virgins ? — 

See before, Simil. ix. v. 139 et seq. 

2 MS. Lamb. Video : which appears 

President, from the close of this section to be the 

true reading. 

(281) 



Of repentance 



III. HERMAS. 



and alms deeds. 



immediately depart from thy 
house : for these virgins cannot 
endure any manner of pollution. 

19 I said unto him ; Sir, I hope 
that I shall so please them, that 
they shall always delight to 
dwell in my house. And as he 
to whom you have committed 
me, makes no complaint of me ; 
so neither shall they complain. 

20 Then he said to that shep- 
herd : I see that the servant of 
God will live and keep these 
commandments, and place these 
virgins in a pure habitation. 

21 When he had said this, he 
delivered me again to that shep- 
herd, and called the virgins, and 
said unto them ; forasmuch as I 
see that ye will readily dwell in 
this man's house, I commend 
him and his house to you, that 
ye may not at all depart from his 
house. And they willingly heard 
these words. 

22 % Then he said unto me, 
Go on manfully in thy ministry ; 
declare to all men the great 
things of God, and thou shalt 
find grace in this ministry. 

23 And whosoever shall walk 
in these commands, shall live, 
and be happy in his life. But he 
that shall neglect them, shall not 
live, and shall be unhappy in 
his life. 

24 Say unto all that whosoever 
can do well, cease not to exercise 
themselves in good works, for it 
is profitable unto them. For I ' 

»Say. 



would that all men should be 
delivered from the inconven- 
iences they lie under. 

25 For he that wants, and suf- 
fers inconveniences in his daily 
life, is in great torment and 
necessity. Whosoever therefore 
delivers such a soul from ne- 
cessity, gets great joy unto him- 
self. 

26 For he that is grieved with 
such inconveniences is equally 
tormented, as if he were in chains. 
And many upon the account of 
such calamities, being not able 
to bear them, have chosen even 
to destroy themselves. 

27 He therefore, that knows 
the calamity of such a man, and 
does not free him from it, com- 
mits a great sin, and is guilty of 
his blood. 

28 Wherefore exercise your- 
selves in good works, as many 
as have received ability from the 
Lord ; lest whilst ye delay to do 
them, the building of the tower 
be finished; because for your 
sakes the building is stopped. 

29 Except therefore ye shall 
make haste to do well, the tower 
shall be finished, and ye shall be 
shut out of it. 

30 And after he had thus 
spoken with me, he rose up from 
the bed and departed, taking the 
shepherd and virgins with him. 

31 Howbeit he said unto me, 
that he would send back the 
shepherd and virgins unto my 
house. Amen. 



THE END 



OF THE APOCRYPHAL NEW TESTAMENT. 
(282) 



TABLE I. 

A LIST of all the Apocryphal Pieces not now extant^ mentioned by Writers 
in the fifst four Centuries of Christ, with the several Works wherein 
they are cited or noticed. 



1. The A.CTS of Andrew. Euseb. Hist. EccL I. 3. c. 25. Philastr. 
Hares. 87. Epiphan. Hceres. 47. \ i. Hceres. 61. \ I. et Hcsres 63. \ 2. Gelas. 
in Decret. apud. Concil. Sanct. torn. 4. p. 1260. 

2. Books under the name of Andrew. August, contr Adversar, Leg. et 
Prophet. I c. 20 et Innocent I. Epis. 3. ad Exuper. Tholos. Episc. ^ 7. 

3. The Gospel of Andrew. Gelas in Decret. 

A Gospel under the name of Apelles. Hieron. Prcefat. in Comment, in 
Matt. 

The Gospel according to the Twelve Apostles. Origen. HomiL in. 
Luc. i 1. Ambros. Cofnment. i?i Luc. i. 1. et Hieron. Prcefat. in Comment, 
in Matt, 

B 

The Gospel of Barnabas. Gelas, in Decret. 

1. The Writings of Bartholomew the Apostle. Dionys. Areopagit. de 
Theol. My St. c. \. 

2. The Gospel of Bartholomew. Hieron Catul. Script. Eccles^ in 
Pantcpn. et Prcefat. hi Cormn. in Matt. Gelas. in Decret. 

The Gospel of Basilides. Orig. in Luc. i. i. Ambros. in Luc. i. i. 
Hieron. Prcsfat. in Comm. in Matt. 



1. The Gospel of Cerinthus. Epiphan. Hcsres. 51. ^7. 

2. The Revelation of Cerinthus. Caias Presb. Rom. lib. Disput. apud 
Euseb. Hist. EccL 1 3. c. 28. 

1. An Epistle of Christ to Peter and Paul. August, de Consens. Evang. 
1. 1. c. 9. 10. 

2. Some other Books under the name of Christ. Ibid. c. 3. 

3. An Epistle of Christ, produced by the Manichees. August, contr. 
Faust, 1. 28. c. 4- 

4. A Hymn, which Christ taught his Disciples. Epis. ad Ceret. Episc. 

E 

The Gospel according to the Egyptians. Clem,. Alex. Strom. 1. 3. p. 452, 
465. Origen. in Luc. it I. Hieron. Prcef. in Comm. in Matt. Epiphan. Hcsres 
62 §2. 

The Acts of the Apostles, made use of by the Ebionites. Epiphan. 
Hcsres. 30. § 16. 

The Gospel of the Ebionites. Epiphan. Hcsres. 30. \ 13. 

The Gospel of the Encratites. Epiphan. Hceres. 46. i. 

The Gospel of Eve. Epiphan. Hcsres. 26. \ 2. 

H 

The Gospel according to the Hebrews. Hegesipp. lib. Comment, apud 
Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. c. 22. Cletn. Alex. Strom. 1. 2. p. 380. Origen. Tract. 
8. in Matt. xix. 19. et I. 2, infoan. p. 58. Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. 3. c. 25, 27, et 
39. Jerome in many places, as above. 

(283) 



The Lost Apocryphal Books, 

The Book of the Helkesaites. Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. 6. c. 38. 
The false Gospels of Hesychius. Hieron. Prcefat. in Evang. ad Damas, 
Gelas. in Decret. 

J 

The Book of James. Origen. Comm. in Mat, xiii. 55, 56. 
Books forged and published under the name of James. Epiphan. Hcsres. 
30. \ 23. Innocent I. Epist. 3. ad Exuper. Tholos. Episc. ^ 7. 

1 The Acts of John. Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. 3. c. 25. Athanas. in Synops. 
I 76. Philastr. Hcsres. 87. Epiphan. Hceres. 47. \ i. August, contr. Advers. 
Leg. 1. I. c. 20. 

2 Books under the name of John. Epiphan. Hceres. 30 \ 23. et Innocent 

1. ibid. 

A Gospel under the name of Jude. Epiphan. Hceres. 38. § i. 
A Gospel under the name of Judas Iscariot. Iren. advers, Hceres. 1. i. 
c. 35. 

The Acts of the Apostles by Leucius. August, lib. de Fide contr. Manich. 
c. 38. 

The Acts of the Apostles by Lentitius. August, de Act. cum Fcslic. 
Manic h. 1. 2. c. 6 

The Books of Lentitius. Gelas. in Decret. 

The Acts under the Apostles' name by Leontius. August, de Fide, contr. 
Manich. c. 5. 

The Acts of the Apostles by Leuthon. Hieron. Epist. ad Chrontat. et 
Heliodor. 

The false Gospels, published by Lucianus. Hieron. Prcefat. in Evang. 
ad Damas. 

M 

The Acts of the Apostles used by the Manichees. August, lib. cont. 
Adimant Manich. c. 17. 

The Gospel of Marcion. Tertull. adv. Marcion. lib. 4. c. 2. et 4. Epiphan. 
Hcsres. 42. Proeni. 

Books under the name of Matthew. Epiphan. Hceres. 30. \ 23. 

1. The Gospel of Matthias. Orig. Comm. in Luc. i. 1. Euseb. Hist. 
Eccl. 1. 3. c. 25. Ainbros in Luc. i. 1. Hieron. Prcefat. in Comment, in Matt. 

2. The Traditions of Matthias. Clem. Alex. Strom.. 1. 2. p. 380. 1. 3. 
p. 436. et\. 7. p. 748. 

3. A Book under the name of Matthias. Innocent I. ibid. 
The Gospel of Merinthus. Epiphan. Hceres. 51. § 7. 

N 

The Gospel according to the Nazarenes. See above concerning the 
Gospel according to the Hebrews. 

P 

1. The Acts of Paul and Thecla. Tertull. de Baptism, c. 17. Hieron. 
CataL Script. Eccl. in Luc. Gelas. in Decret. 

2. The Acts of Paul. Orig. de Princip. 1. i. c. 2. et\. 21. in Joan. torn. 

2. p. 298. Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. 3. c. 3. et 25. Philastr. Hceres. 87. 

3> The Preaching of Paul (and Peter). Lactant. de Ver. Sap. 1. 4. c. 
21. Script, anonym, ad calcem Opp. Cypr. and, according to some, Clem. 
Alex. Strom. 1. 6. p. 636, 

4- A Book under the name of Paul. Cyprian. Epist. 27. 

5. The Revelation of Paul. Epiphan. Hcsres. 38. \ 2. August. Tract. 
98. in Joann. in Jin. Gelas. in Decret. 

The Gospel of Perfection. Epiphan. Hceres. 26. \ 2. 

I. The Acts of Peter. Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. 3. c. 3. Athanas. in Synops. 
S. Scriptur. § 76. Philastr. Hceres 87. Hieron. Catal. Script. Eccl. in Petr- 
Epiphan. Hceres. 30. \ 15. 

(284) 



The Lost Apocryphal Books. 

2. The Doctrine of Peter. On'o-, Procem. in lib. de Princip. 

3. The Gospel of Peter. Scrap, lib. de Evang. Petri, apud. Euseb. Hist, 
Eccl. 1. 6. c. 12. Tertull. adv. Marc. 1. 4. c. 5. Orig. Comment, in Matt. xiii. 
55> 56, torn. i. p. 223. Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. 3. c. 3. et 25. Hieron. Catal. 
Script. Eccl. in Petr. 

4. The Judgment of Peter. Puffin. Exposit. in Symbol. Apostol. \ 36. 
Hieron. Catal. Script, Eccles. in Petr. 

5. The Preaching of Peter. Heracl. apud. Orig. 1. 14, in Joan. Clem. 
Alex. Strom,. 1. i. p. 357. 1. 2. p. 390. 1. 6. p. 635, 636, ^^678. Theodot. Byzant. 
in Excerpt, p. 899. ad calc. Opp. Clem,. Alex. Lacta?it. de Ver. Sap. 1. 4. c. 21. 
Euseb. Hist. Eccles. 1. 3. c. 3. et Hieron Catal. Script. Eccl. in Petr. 

6. The Revelation of Peter. Clem. Alex, lib. Hypotypos. apud. Euseb. 
Hist. Eccl. 1. 6. c. 14. Theodot. Byzant. in Excerpt, p. 806, 807; ad. calc. 
Opp. Clem. Alex. Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. 3. c. 3. et 25. Hieron. Catal. Script. 
Eccl. in Petr. 

7. Books under the name of Peter. Innocent I. Epist. 3. ad Exuper. 
Tholos. Epist. I 7. 

1. The Acts of Philip. Gelas, in Decret. 

2. The Gospel of Philip, Epiphan. Hceres. 26. \ 13. 



The Gospel of Scythianus. Cyrill. Catech. VI. \ 22. et Epiphan. Hcsres. 
66. \ 2. 

The Acts of the Apostles by Seleucus. Hieron. Epist. ad Chromat. et 
Heliodor. 

The Revelation of Stephen. Gelas. in Decret, 



The Gospel of Titan. Euseb. Hist. Eccl \. 4. c. 29. 
The Gospel of Thadd^eus. Gelas. in Decret. 

The Catholic Epistle of Themison the Montanist. Apollon. lib. cont Ca- 
taphryg. apud. Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. 5. c. 18. 

1. The Acts of Thomas. Epiphan. Hcsres. 47. \ 1. et6i. I i. Athanas. 
in Synops. S. Script \ 76. et Gelas. in Decret. 

2. The Gospel of Thomas. Orig. in Luc. i. i. Euseb. Hist. Eccl. 1. 3. 
c. 25. Cyrill. Catech. IV. \ 36. et Catech. VI. \ 31. Ambros. in Luc. i. i. 
Athan. in Synops. S. Script. | 76. Hieron. Prcef. in Com,m,e7it. in Matth. 
Gelas. in Decret. 

3. The Revelation of Thomas. Gelas. in Decret. 

4. Books under the name of Thomas. Innocent I Epist. 3. ad Exuper, 
Tholos. Episc. \ 7. 

The Gospel of Truth made use of by the Valentinians. Iren. adv. 
Hcsres. 1. 3. c. 11. 

V 

The Gospel of Valentinus. Tertull. de Prcsscript. adv. Hcpret. c. 49, 

(285) 



TABLE II. 

A LIST of the Christian Authors of the first four Centuries whose Writ- 
ings contain Catalogues of the Books of the New Testament. 

V Those which also have Catalogues of the Books of the Old Testament 

are marked thus *. 



The Names of 
the Writers. 



I. 

*Origen. a Pres- 
byter of Alex- 
andria, who em- 
ployed incredi- 
ble pains in 
knowing the 
Scriptures. 

II. 
EusEBius Pam- 
PHiLUS, whose 
writings evi- 
dence his zeal 
about the sacred 
writings, and his 
great care to be 
informed, which 
were genuin e, 
and which not. 



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III. 

*Athanasius, Bp. 
of Alexandria. 



IV. 
♦Cyril, Bp. of Je- 
rusalem. 

V. 

*The Bishops as- 
sembled in the 
Council of La- 
odicea. 



The Variation or Agree- 
ment of their Catalogues 
with ours now received. 



The Places of their 
Writings in which 
these Catalogues 



are. 



A. C 

2IO. 



SIS- 



SIS. 



340. 



364. 
t 



Omits the Epistles of James 
and Jude, though he owns 
them both in other parts 
of his writings. 



His Catalogue is exactly 
the same with the mod- 
ern one ; only he says, 
the Epistles of James, 
Jude, the 2d of Peter, the 
2d and 3d of John, though 
they were generally re- 
ceived, yet had been by 
some doubted of. As to 
the Revelations, though 
he says some rejected it, 
yet he says others re- 
ceived it ; and himself 
places it among those 
which are to be received 
without dispute. 



The same perfectly with 
ours now received. 



The same with ours, only 
the Revelation is omitted. 



The Revelation is omitted. 



Comment in Matt, 
apud Euseb. Hist. 
Eccl. I. 6. c. 25. 
Exposit. in Joan. 
I. 5. apud Euseb, 
ibid. 



Hist. Eccl. I. 3 r. 55 c 
confer ejusdem lib, 
b.z. 



Fragment. Ep i s i. 
Festal, etin Synops, 
Scriptur. Sacr. 



Catech. IV. § 36. 



Canon. LX. 



N.B.— The Canons of 
this Council were not 
long afterwards receiv- 
ed into the body of the 
Canons of the univeisaJ 
Church. 



fThe Papists generally place this Council before the Council of Nice. 

(286) 



The Names of 
the Writers. 



Lj -^ ^ 



The Variation or Agree- 
ment of their Catalogues 
with ours now received. 



The Places of their 

Writings in which 
these Catalogues 
are. 



VI. 
Epiphanius, Bp. 
of S a 1 a m i s in 
Cyprus. 

VII. 
Gregory Nazi- 
ANZEN, Bp. of 
Constantinople. 

VIII. 
Philastrius, Bp. 
of Brixia in Ven- 
ice. 



IX. 
*Jerome. 



X. 

*RuFFiN, Pres- 
byter of Aquile- 
gium. 

XI. 

*A U S T I N, Bp. of 
Hippo in Africa. 

XII. 
*The fourty-four 
Bps. assembled 
in thethird Coun- 
cil of Carthage. 

XIII. 
The anonymous 
author of the 
works under the 
name of Diony- 
sius the Areopa- 
gite. 



A, C 
370. 



375. 



380. 



382. 



390. 



394. 



St. 

Austin 
was 

present 
at it. 

390. 



The same with ours now 
received. 



Omits the Revelation. 



The same with ours now 
received ; except that he 
mentions only thirteen of 
St. Paul's Epistles (omit- 
ting very probably the 
Epistle to the Hebrews), 
and leaves out the Reve- 
lation. 

The same with ours ; ex- 
cept that he speaks dubi- 
ously of the Epist. to the 
Hebrews ; though in other 
parts of his writings he re- 
ceives it as Canonical, as 
hereafter will appear. 

It perfectly agrees with ours. 



It perfectly agrees with ours. 



It perfectly agrees with ours. 



It seems perfectly to agree 
with ours : for though he 
doth not, for good rea- 
sons, produce the names 
of the books ; yet (as the 
learned Daille says, De 
Scrips supposit. Doings. 
1. 1, c. 16) he so clearly de- 
scribes them as that he has 
left out no divine book, 
may be easily perceived. 



Hceres. 76, c. 5. 



Carm. de veris et 
genuin. Scripiur, 



Lib. de Hceres. 87. 



Ep. ad Paulin. de 
Stud. Scrip, Also 
commonly prefix- 
ed to the Latin 
Vulgate. 



Expos, in Symb. 
Apostol. \ 36. int. 
Op. Hieror. et 
inter Op. Cypr. 

De Doct. Christ. 
l. 2. c. 8. 



Vid. Canon, 
et cap. ult. 



XLVII. 



Lib. de Hierarchy 
Eccl. Co 3. 



THE END. 



(287) 



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